The Listed SAJC H C Nitschke Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday was turned into a procession by talented Cosmic Force three year-old Stay Focused, who raced away to win as he pleased.
Trained by Phillip Stokes and ridden by Lachlan Neindorf, Stay Focused was sixth in the Group I VRC Australian Guineas before dropping back in grade to win at Moonee Valley as a good confidence booster.
He gave nothing else a chance when bolting clear to win by four lengths taking his overall record to three wins and two placings from 11 starts with prizemoney topping $375,000.
A $190,000 pinhook for Blade Racing from the Kingstar Stud draft at the National Weanling Sale, Stay Focused was the highest-priced yearling from the first crop of Cosmic Force when Bennett Racing went to $250,000 to secure the colt from the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions.
A half-brother to Group III-placed Miss Moana, stakes-placed Hollywood Mo and Ningaloo Star, Stay Focused is the best of eight winners from 10 to race for Galileo mare Coral Reef, a grand-daughter of Group I Irish Oaks winner Knight’s Baroness.
Coral Reef has not had a foal for a few years, but went back to Cosmic force last spring.
Stay Focused is the second stakes-winner for Cosmic Force, who has been priced at $16,500 at Newgate Farm this spring.
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