Regarded highly enough to take on stakes company at two without striking a blow, Agenda Setter was gelded while on a 20-week break and paid an immediate dividend.
Ridden by Jay Ford for Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes, the 3-year-old son of I Am Invincible made all the running to cruise to a two-and-a-half length win in the Congratulations Zac Lloyd Maiden Hcp (1000m) at Hawkesbury.
Under minimal urging, Agenda Setter defeated the Capitalist filly Zing To Me with the Hellbent debutant Ahellbenda back in third.
Agenda Setter was a $250,000 purchase for Matthew Sandblom’s Horse Ventures from the Cressfield draft at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
“He ran in good company but unfortunately needed the ultimate gear change, and it’s done the job,” Michael Hawkes said.
“Jay got to the front, he travelled well, and they did not go overly hard, and he was able to kick off the bend. That should give him a lot of confidence.”
Agenda Setter is the second winner from three to race for the top-class Not A Single Doubt mare Secret Agenda, a 7-time winner of $1,500,000 highlighted by her success in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes.
Doyle Racing/Kurrinda Bloodstock shelled out $120,000 for Secret Agenda’s Capitalist colt consigned by Cressfield to the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Secret Agenda has a yearling colt by Home Affairs and was covered by Zoustar last spring.
Coming off his third consecutive Champion Sire title, I Am Invincible has had a productive few days following a Wednesday treble at Warwick Farm.
Adding to the success on Thursday was the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly Satin Shimmer broke her maiden at start two in the opener at Muswellbrook, while Fairway Thoroughbreds $1,700,000 Inglis Easter purchase Kundalini broke the ice over 1100m at Sale.
