In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
Trained by Clayton Douglas and ridden by Jye McNeil, three year-old colt Top Reward was sent out a well backed favourite for the 1500m maiden on debut and duly returned a winner.
A big strong colt, he stalked the leader and took over turning for home before keeping a good gallop to the post to win by a length and a half.
“He’s a smart colt and we though he would be very hard to beat today,” said Clayton Douglas.
“He’s still big and raw, but kicking off over 1500m on his home track was good and we think he’s got a bright future.
“He’s a really nice staying type of horse with a beautiful physique and he’s got big things in store.”
A $300,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Blue Gum Farm draft for Top Pick Bloodstock, Top Reward was the highest priced yearling by his sire sold at the Gold Coast in 2024.
Bred by Trilogy Racing, he is the second winner from three foals to race from Prosecution, a metro winning sister to stakes-winner Religify and to the dam of Group II winner Chrysaor from the family of world champion sprinter Silent Witness.
The current two year-old from Prosecution is a colt by Stay Inside that sold for $80,000 at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale last week to Amanda Turner Racing.
Prosecution has a yearling colt to follow by Blue Gum Farm’s young sire Sejardan and was on-sold through Inglis Digital back in June in foal to him again.
Top Reward is the 25th winner of the new season for Shamus Award, who stands at Rosemont Stud at a fee of $33,000.
