The open juvenile event over 1100m at Randwick on Saturday looked a strong affair on paper with stakes performed horses O’ Ole, Memo and Tempestuous all engaged, but it was a couple of up and comers that led the way home in Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Gallo Nero and Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic.
Trained by Team Hawkes, Gallo Nero did a few things wrong when a close fourth on a slow track behind The Playwright last month when making his debut and took good benefit from that experience.
Given a tick over trial in between, the son of Wootton Bassett was super professional this time around travelling smoothly all the way for Tyler Schiller before accelerating between horses to take the lead. He was strong right through the line to win by half a length over the fast finisher Apocalyptic, who was eye-catching on debut coming from last.
Gallo Nero has banked $112,100 from his first two starts securing his place in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 11 and has firmed from $15 into $6 second favouritism behind Icarian Dream.
"The plan was to win today and then head to the Gold Coast,” said co-trainer Michael Hawkes.
"Of course we've got to see how he pulls up the next 24 to 48 hours. If he doesn't get to the Magic Millions he's going to be a really nice colt in the autumn.”
Hawkes was relieved to see Gallo Nero run more tractably on Saturday after his debut fourth last month.
"I think he should have won first-up, he just got really keen,” Hawkes said.
"He only got beaten a length and did everything wrong.
"We gave him an easy trial on Monday and just tried to get him to relax. And probably the key was taking a sit today, where he actually did relax.
"He's still learning and he's a really nice colt in the making."
Gallo Nero was a $370,000 Magic Millions purchase from Glenbeigh Farm and runs for a syndicate of Hawkes stable clients that include the estate of the late Colin McKenna in whose colours he runs.
Bred by Kambula Stud in partnership, Gallo Nero is the first foal of Chianti, a metropolitan winning I Am Invincible daughter of South African Group III winner Sweet Sanette (SthAfr).
Chianti has no yearling for the sales next year, but did produce a filly by Anamoe this spring and is back in foal to him again.
Gallo Nero is the second Australian two year-old winner from the first SH crop of Wootton Bassett, who is the Champion European Sire of 2YO’s for 2024.
Shuttle stallions have powered back into favour in Australia through the deeds of Justify (USA) and Too Darn Hot (GB) with Wootton Bassett looking very likely to add to their success.
Wootton Bassett has 30 yearlings for Magic Millions 2025 and has now returned to Ireland following his fourth consecutive season at Coolmore Australia.
