The spring looms large for the promising More Than Ready (USA) filly August Bloom after she shed her maiden status under a confident Tom Sherry in the Richmond Club Maden Plate (1300m) at Hawkesbury.
Despite making her first start in 22 weeks, August Bloom went off a short-priced favourite to give Peter and Paul Snowden and China Horse Club their second winner of the day after the Russian Revolution filly Hampton Queen made a winning career debut.
August Bloom needed to fight for success, coming from well back on the turn to defeat the 4yo I Am Invincible mare There There by a half-length with a further one-and-a-half lengths back to the fast-finishing Written Tycoon filly Broadcaster in third.
It was start four for August Bloom, who kick-started her career when fourth behind Bases Loaded in a high-class maiden at Randwick in February.
Beaten less than a length when fourth to Lazzago in the Group II Sweet Embrace Stakes, August Bloom rounded out her 2yo season with a barnstorming third in the Group III Magic Night Stakes.
“That's what we wanted to see today to give her that exposure,” Paul Snowden said.
“She has raced in good company all her life, and she will return to that in time to come.
“I think Tommy was soft on her. He knows her well; she got the job done as easily as possible and has had a good day out.
“She jumped clean and travelled well. She could have been a bit closer if needed, but we were afforded a nice opportunity with a solid tempo, and once she goes through her gears, she gets to her top quickly. She did not get that opportunity early in the straight, but job done.
‘We anticipate she will get to a mile this preparation.”
Bred by SF Bloodstock, August Bloom was a $510,000 purchase for China Horse Club Racing from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
A half-sister to the ill-fated Listed ATC Woodlands Stakes winner Xtremetime (Extreme Choice), and the stakes-placegetters Caracaro (2nd in the Gr 1 Travers Stakes), and Miss Hellfire (Hellbent), August Bloom is the fourth winner from as many to race for the War Front (USA) mare Peace Time (USA).
A daughter of the Gr 1 Hollywood Oaks winner and multiple Gr 1 placed Unbridles mare, Santa Catarina, Peace Time has not had a foal since August Bloom. She was covered by Snitzel last spring.
August Bloom was the most expensive of the 40 yearlings sold from the final crop of Vinery Stud stalwart More Than Ready (USA).
