The Group III-placed Sensical was sent off a short-priced favourite in a 1000m maiden at Pakenham, a litmus test for her largely inexperienced opponents. Still, one debutant was about to graduate with flying colours.
The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock-trained Akicita was the equal highest-priced yearling from the first crop of his sire Grunt, so there was already some weight of expectation on the handsome colt when he lines up a solidly backed second favourite.
With Jye McNeil in the saddle, Akicita looked to be in a class of his own.
Akicita settled one out three back as Sensical took up the running. We just two behind him turning for home, the son of Grunt came with a barnstorming finish to defeat the Zoustar filly Sensical by a widening three and a half lengths.
The Russian Revolution debutant Socially Red was a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Mathew de Kock said the stable had classic aspirations for Akicita.
He's a smart horse," Mathew de Kock enthused.
"I loved how he settled, and when he turned for home, he changed gears and left the field behind.
"To beat that filly by that margin was very impressive.
"He's shown his talent at home, and it's good to see him come here and put it together.
"He is not a horse that likes soft going, so we elected to aim at the Pakenham synthetic because it is nice and consistent.
"To give him experience away from home has worked out.
"We had him ready in January – February, but he was a bit immature, so we put him away. He is ready now, hopefully, for a successful spring campaign.
"We will aim him for races like the Guineas Prelude and big races like the (Caulfield) Guineas, but which pathway we take to get there will be weather and track dependent.
"His half-sister Typhoon Titmus was second in the (Edward) Manifold, so he will be better over a mile."
A $300,000 purchase for Griffiths de Kock Racing / Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Akicita is the third winner from as many to race for the talented Not A Single Doubt mare Little Indian.
This family is close to Robbie Griffith's heart as Little Indian is a sister to the stable's beloved Fidelia, who placed six times at Group level.
Griffiths de Kock Racing / Peter Ford Bloodstock (FBAA) / Heywood Bloodstock signed the ticket for$200,000 to secure Edward Manifold Stakes second Typhoon Titmus. It went to the well again when Griffiths de Kock Racing / Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) had the final say at $320,000 for Little Indian's Brutal filly at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Little Indian visited Blue Point (IRE) last spring.
Grunt stands at Yulong Stud in 2023 for a fee of $22,000.
