Following a four-length win on debut at Wodonga, the 3-year-old Toronado (IRE) colt Detroit City kept his unbeaten record intact when lumping 60kgs to victory over 1410m at Flemington on Saturday.
Ridden by Billy Egan for Dominic Sutton, Detroit City came from the tail of the field to defeat the Brutal gelding Big Brute by two and a half lengths, with the Hellbent colt Warparty three and a half lengths back in third.
“I loved the way he dropped his head and settled in behind,” Sutton said.
“We’ve had him up on speed in trials and again at Wodonga, so it was nice to see him tuck in behind and switch off.
“We wanted to see what he did today if he is up to the spring, so he will have a light let-up and head towards some nice races in the spring.
“In time, I think he will be a 10-furlong plus horse. His dam is by Pour Moi, an English Derby winner, so he has staying in his pedigree. He is a big, robust horse with a big stride, and I love the way he quickened.”
A $200,000 purchase for McKeever Bloodstock / D Sutton from the Twin Hills Stud draft at the 2023 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Detroit City is the second winner from as many foals for Elle Gagne, a winner at Cranbourne and Sale in 12 starts for Grahame Begg.
A half-sister to Group III-placed Belle Roc (Fastnet Rock), Elle Gagne hails from the family of star Hong Kong sprinter/milers The Duke (Danehill) and Sky Field (Deep Field), the Gigai Stakes winner Keen Array (Bel Esprit), and the Levin Stakes winner and NZ Two Thousand Guineas runner-up Chambord (Zabeel).
Elle Gagne missed in 2021 and 2022 and visited Grunt last season.
Toronado (IRE) was the fifth most prolific sire of winners last season, with 145 individual winners.
Swettenham Stud’s son of High Chaparral (IRE) stands for $88,000 in 2024.
