The much-anticipated debut of Home Affairs colt Guest House lived up to expectation at Cranbourne on Saturday when the powerhouse youngster overcame trouble to win the $150,000 Clamms Seafood Handicap (1000m) for the Price Kent stable.
A big powerful bay colt with a neat white star, Guest House is reminiscent of his sire in type and demeanour with co-trainer Mick Price expressing concern pre-race that the tight Cranbourne circuit might not be entirely suitable.
With a string of impressive trial and jumpout efforts in recent weeks, Guest House was ready to run with a view to autumn goals, so connections elected to take the gamble and were rewarded.
Ridden by Jamie Melham, Guest House started a short priced favourite, but when crossed by a couple of runners not long after the start, the colt became unsettled giving Melham some anxious moments.
She allowed the colt to stride up out wide and he duly found his rhythm before finishing off as expected to win by the best part of a length under hands and heels.
Guest House was purchased from Magic Millions, but the primary goal for this talented colt is the $2million Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 21.
"Job done today and the $82,500 goes towards the autumn," said Mick Price.
"The first project will be the 1200-metres of the Blue Diamond. We have to find the right way to get him there, so he'll have a little breather now.
"He's got some areas of improvement and 1000-metres around here was not ideal.
"I was hoping Jamie could get off heels and she was able to. He's got a bit of an explosive nature about him and he doesn't quite understand his gears yet.
“He won under a bit of difficulty today, when he wanted to overrace and he had to handle the tight track here. He’s still a bit green in the brain, but it’s been good experience for him.”
A $270,000 Magic Millions purchase from Newgate Farm for Mick Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd/Roll The Dice Racing/Rogers Bloodstock, Guest House is a half-brother to stakes-placed Nitrous.
Bred by Love Racing and partners, he is the fifth winner from six foals to race from Group II placed Stratum mare Flamboyant Lass, a full sister to Group II winner Attention.
Flamboyant Lass has a yearling filly by Stay Inside and was on-sold this year through Inglis Digital in July for $47,500 to Clarke Bloodstock after missing last year.
She was covered this spring by Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Storm Boy, who has settled in nicely to his new stud career at Coolmore.
Guest House is the third winner (two in NZ) from the first crop of 2YO’s for Home Affairs, who also has three stakes horses to his credit in I’m Ya Huckleberry, Harvey Wallbanger and Internal Affairs.
Home Affairs has 46 entries for Magic Millions.
