Juvenile racing kicks off in earnest on Saturday with the Group III ATC Breeders’ Plate and Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick and the Listed VRC Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington, so let’s take a look at the Sale Mail.
Two well bred colts in Valedictorian (Zoustar) and Gambler (Capitalist) were dual acceptors for Sydney and Melbourne with connections making their decision after the barrier draw.
Valedictorian drew gate 1 in Sydney so will start at Randwick and Gambler has headed to Flemington after drawing gate 10 in Sydney, while Crown the King (Time to Reign) is also a dual acceptor in Brisbane, but has drawn wide there so seems likely to take his chances where he is.
G3 Breeders Plate Sale Mail
Zoustar has the two highest priced runners with $1.55million colt Tuscany and $1.3million colt Valedictorian and the former was also the equal quickest at the official trials where he won for James McDonald, who takes the ride again.
The two colts he beat in that trial are Tremonti (Hellbent) and Gambler (Capitalist), who both run in the Maribyrnong Trial which will jump 15 minutes after the Breeders’ Plate, so if Tuscany wins punters can expect them to firm sharply in the market .
Gold
en Slipper winner and Champion 2YO Farnan and Champion 3YO Ole Kirk have two great chances to kick start their stud careers in style.
North England and King Kirk both won their trials for the Waterhouse Bott stable with the former the most visually impressive winner at the trials and from gate two will take some catching.
G3 Gimcrack Stakes Sale Mail
Full field of 14 plus emergencies makes it a lottery of a race with the Ciaron Maher trained Blue Point (IRE) filly Icarian Dream an early favourite with a trial win behind her and barrier three. Punters with a good memory will recall Maher sent out the hot favourite in the Breeders Plate last year in Blue Point (IRE) colt Scampi, who disappointed and remains winless after four starts last season, hopefully Icarian Dream has more to offer.
Listed Maribyrnong Trial Sale Mail
Zoustar looks to have a strong hand with a couple of very well bred fillies. Rosemont Stud homebred Odessa won a trial at Cranbourne and is bred for early success with her first three dams Aryaaf, Bulbula and Taameer all juvenile stakes-winners.
Price Tag came with a biggish one having been bought for $600,000 from Inglis Easter and is the first foal of lightning fast Group winning sprinter Humma Humma, a half-sister to juvenile stakes-winner Tycoon Humma.
Another filly with a big pedigree is $450,000 Magic Millions purchase Sisstainable, the first foal of Sunlight’s Group winning full sister Sisstar by champion sire I Am Invincible.
