There were two key stakes races for new season three year-olds at Newmarket in the UK overnight and the colours of well known Hong Kong owner Bon Ho were in the frame in the Listed Feilden Stakes (1m1f) won by Canberra Legend.
A three year-old colt by Epsom Derby winner Australia, Canberra Legend won his debut over a mile in February and was having just his second start.
Well prepared by James Ferguson, Canberra Legend stepped up successfully in distance and class to score a strong half length win.
“We've got a lot of options ahead of us and it very exciting to have a horse of this calibre for his owner who has been with me since I started,” said James Ferguson.
“Canberra Legend is in both (Dante and Derby). I think we have to see how he comes out of the race and the Guineas is not that far away. He looks like he wants further, but I have to talk to the owner first.”
A 350,000 guinea purchase for Avenue Bloodstock from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, he was a successful pinhook having been bough as a weanling for 125,000 guineas.
He is a half-brother to Group III winner Youth Spirit and is the third winner from three to race from unraced Fastnet Rock mare Rocana, a half-sister to Group II winner Blaine and stakes-winners Byline and Bogart.
He is the 33rd stakes-winner for Australia and the is the 85th for Fastnet Rock as a broodmare sire, being bred on that super successful Galileo x Fastnet Rock nick.
The Group IIII Nell Gwyn Stakes (7f) was won by another up and comer with the Richard Hannon trained Mammas Girl taking the prize at 16-1.
A debut winner at Newmarket last October, she was having her second start and overcame a poor start to win by a dominant two and three-quarter lengths over the Godolphin owned Dubawi filly Fairy Cross.
“She is very straightforward, but she missed the gate today which I'm surprised at. I thought she would run very well today, but she has surprised me slightly with the way she has won," said Richard Hannon.
“All of my Guineas winners have been beaten in their trials. Sky Lantern, Night Of Thunder and Billesdon Brook. Hopefully she bucks the trend, but she will be coming back here for that race for sure.”
Mammas Girl was a bargain buy, just 35,000 pounds at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and is a half-sister to stakes-winner Master of War and stakes-placed Life in Colour from terrific producer Mamma Morton, who has had 12 named foals that have all raced for 11 winners.
Mammas Girl is the seventh stakes-winner for Galileo line sire Havana Grey, whose oldest progeny are just three year-olds. He made a flying start last year to be the leading first crop sire by winners and earnings, a remarkable effort off a fee of 8,000 pounds.
Havana Grey is producing some great stats runnign at nearly 7% SW to runner and stands at Whitsbury Manor at a fee of 18,500 pounds.
