Having made his debut in the G2 ATC Todman Stakes when beaten just over four lengths after racing wide throughout, the Ciaron Maher trained Harry Angel (IRE) colt Seraphox started a short-priced favourite in the Warwick Farm opener on Wednesday, getting the job done under James McDonald.
It’s worth nothing that on debut in the Todman, Seraphox did beat home Nomadic who finished third at his next start in the G3 Baillieu, while race winner Paradoxium and fellow Todman runners Wolf Gap and Tornado Valley will all line up in this Saturday’s G1 Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Away well from the middle of the line, McDonald took the colt forward where he settled just off the lading division with the Michael Freedman trained Don Valiente (Pinatubo) going forward to take up the lead.
Slightly strung up behind the leaders as they entered the straight, it looked as if McDonald was going to struggle to get clear running, but once it appeared, Seraphox sprinted through, holding off the late charge of the Chris Waller trained The Roaring Sun (The Autumn Sun) who produced an eye-catching debut run to come from well back.
Finishing third was the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Bivouac colt Rolling Back who was just over two lengths off the second placed colt.
Stable rep Amy Burke was suitably please with the effort of the handy colt.
“He's a lovely horse and they’ve kind of had a bit of an opinion of him from the beginning,” enthused Burke. “His run in the Todman was far from disgraced. He got caught wide and had a tough run throughout and still had the audacity to stick on as well as he did.”
“Back in grade today, back to maiden company did the job nicely – he had to take a couple of little reroutes home, but yeah, got the job done.
“As I said, he was far from disgraced, and he has really come on from that run as well, just even in his whole demeanour. You could see him there in the yard beforehand.
“He was completely on his toes the whole way around but never broke a sweat. He is the ultimate professional, and I think a very nice horse going forward.”
Riding the colt for the first time McDonald felt the colt has ability.
“He's a nice progressive horse who will only excel as he gets further,” said McDonald. “He did everything beautifully today and he won accordingly.
With his manners clearly improving from his debut, McDonald agreed how much 2yo’s can take from one run to the next.
“They said he was on his toes before the race, and obviously he'd woken up from that first start, so he's taken necessary progression.
“He's a horse to follow.”
A veteran of the sales process, Seraphox was initially offered at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale when sold through the Glenn Lee Thoroughbreds to Middlebrook Valley Lodge for $65,000 who then offered the colt at the Inglis Classic yearling sale where Hong Kong Bloodstock purchased him for $90,000.
Off to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale, the colt was sold to Ciaron Maher Racing and Starblue Consultancy for $220,00 when consigned by Baystone Farm.
Bred by Miss M Jeffcoat, Seraphox is the first runner out of the Foxwedge mare Foxy Touch from the same family as this season’s G2 ATC Skyline Stakes winner and G1 ATC Golden Slipper fourth placed Campions D’Italia who looks a leading chance in this Saturday’s $1m G1 Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick for trainer Chris Waller.
Foxy Touch has a yearling filly by Pinatubo (IRE) who sold at this year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale to Mitch Beer Racing and Heywood Bloodstock for $70,000 while the mare missed to Marice (Jpn) after foaling the filly, before being covered by Dundeel (NZ) in the spring.
The sire of 20 stakes winners headed by Australian G1 winners Tom Kitten, Private Harry and War Machine, Darley’s Harry Angel had three yearlings sell at the recent Inglis Easter yearling sale led by the full-sister to G2 winner Arkansaw Kid who sold for $425,000.
