Having finished just over a length and three quarters off Group 1 winner Asfoora (Flying Artie) last start in the Group 3 SAJC R N Irwin Stakes (1100m), it was no surprise to see Watchme Win (Harry Angel) jump away the race favourite in the Group 3 SAJC John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.
Settling behind the leaders in the run, the Andrew Gluyas trained 4yo darted back towards the inside rail where he extended like a good horse, hitting the lead before pulling away under Jason Holder to record success, with last Saturday’s Listed Railway Stakes winner Volcanic Express (Hualalai) working home to finish a length and quarter off the winner in second.
Never further back than fifth in his ten starts highlight by five victories, the gelding only made his racetrack debut back in July 2024, and Group 3 success has earned him a possible shot at the Group 1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap on May 10.
“He’s come such a long way in basically 12 months of racing now five wins from 10 starts and I guess he's booked himself a spot in the Group 1 Goodwood,” enthused Gluyas post-race. “We dreamt of that at the start of this preparation and today he's booked himself there, and it was a dominant run and a good win.”
“He had a significant injury, which just needed time. And when time ticks, you don't know what will happen. And so, then we had a long rehab to get him back and now he’s racing well. He looks like he has an absolute thirst for racing. And he’s a strong sprinter.”
Consigned through the Noorilim Park draft at the Inglis Premier yearling sale as agent for Mill Park, Watchme Win was knocked down to his trainer for $160,000. One of two winners from two to the track for the winning Sepoy mare Watchmespin, Watchme Win is a half-brother to Bjorn Baker’s three-time winner Point And Shoot (Blue Point).
From the extended family of Group 1-winning Mill Park graduates Run Fox Run (Foxwedge) and Serious Speed (Royal Academy), Watchmespin has a yearling full sister to Watchme Win followed by a weanling filly by Street Boss.
Bred by Harry Perks, as is the fellow Mill Park yearling sale graduate, the Group 2 Autumn Stakes winner Angel Capital (Harry Angel), Watchme Win is one of 19 stakes winners led by Group 1 winners Tom Kitten and Private Harry for Darley’s Word Champion Sprinter Harry Angel, who will stand the upcoming breeding season for a fee of $66,000 (inc. GST) at Darley Kelvinside.
