The Fastnet Rock x Galileo cross is a formidable one and has produced this spring’s elite Group I winners Via Sistina (IRE) and Buckaroo (GB) with another lightly raced import bred the same way opening his account at Kembla on Saturday carrying the colours of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Bred by The Queen, four year-old gelding Gilded Water (GB) was sent to Australia to join the stable of Ciaron Maher after four starts in the UK earlier this year that included a seven and a half length maiden win at Chepstow over 2000m.
He was having his first Australian start in the Benchmark 78 event over 2000m and was doing his best work late to snatch a half length win as favourite with Jasone Collett on board.
The choice of Ciaron Maher as a trainer for Gilded Water was a good one as he also trains his older half-brother Circle of Fire (GB), who won the Group I ATC Sydney Cup earlier this year.
Gilded Water is also a half-brother to Group III winner Evening Sun and is the fourth winner from four foals to race from Fiery Sunset, a winning half-sister by Galileo to stakes-winner Upcountry from a hugely successful female family tracing back to celebrated matriarch Best in Show.
Lightly raced and talented with plenty of upside was the verdict from connections.
