Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
The gelded son of Super Seth was having just his second start and after racing a little keenly early, settled midfield under jockey Billy Egan before comfortably reeling in the leaders and staving off the late challenge of runner-up Snitz Sonic.
“He is still doing a little bit wrong. You could see in the home straight he just wanted to lug in slightly. I think it is just immaturity more than anything, but he definitely has a nice engine,” Sutton said.
“He has done it in his trials, that is why we have put the winkers on to help him concentrate and make sure he is going as straight as possible, but with more experience under his belt, he will come good.
“It looked a little bit messy early, just trying to get a spot and he just got up on the bridle a tad. He just had to bring him back and get him into a rhythm halfway through. Once he found that spot and he dropped his head, it was a pretty painless watch from there.
“He has a contingent of UK owners in him, who are coming over for the carnival. It would be nice to be able to step him out for them when they arrive. But we will ultimately do what is best by the horse first. They are only three once, so we will just have a look at the calendar and see if there is a nice race for him over Melbourne Cup week.”
Winning rider Billy Egan said the wind was somewhat problematic hence his decision to settle back with cover.
“There was a big headwind down the back straight and a strong tailwind down the home straight,” he said.
“He gave me a good feel. I think he is a pretty nice horse. He still has a few things to iron out, but he will make a nice horse when the penny drops.
“He was very strong through the line. If get his racing manners in hand a bit early, that will help him settle and he will be able to run out a nice mile.”
Sulek was purchased at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, with Sutton Racing and Byron Rogers signing for the chestnut for $420,000.
Presented by Kit Brooks’ KB Bloodstock, Sulek is out of the O’Reilly mare Tiff And Co and was bred by the Dowager Duchess of Bedford and Waikato Stud.
Sulek stems from Bloomsbury Stud’s famed Mrs Moss family, with Group Three winning daughter of Nashwan, Myself , the three-year-old’s granddam. – NZ Racing Desk
