The Matthew Dunn trained 3YO Wallander put on an impressive front-running display to land the $60,000 TAB Highway Plate at Rosehill on Saturday.
The lightly raced son of Domesday who has never finished further back than fourth, has now won twice and placed twice from just 6 starts to-date. The gelding won comfortably under Glyn Schofield, beating Nicconita by 1.3L, with Pierino a further 1.3 lengths 3rd.
A winner of the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes at 2, Domesday has had an outstanding 2017-18 season, highlighted by a Group 1 Coolmore Classic quinella with Daysee Doom and Oregon's Day, with the latter then going on to win the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes.
Not to be out-done however, Domesday's stable-mate Husson sired the winner of the $100,000 ATC Hong Kong Tour Sprint on the same card with the Cameron Crockett-trained Sharpe Hussler beating Condor Heroes by 1.5L, with Niccolance another length back in 3rd.
It's been a good couple of days for the Aquis stalwart who had the Mildura Cup winner on Friday with Husson Eagle.
Husson's versatility as a sire was again evident this season with his Stakes horses including the 8YO gelding Lucky Hussler winning the Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile and his 3YO filly Frolic added more black-type to her resume at her most recent start in the Inglis 3YO Guineas at Scone, having placed 2nd in last year's Group 1 Golden Slipper.
Just to underscore the strength of Aquis' sire power, Benfica, who stands alongside Domesday and Husson at Aquis' Queensland base in Canungra, also sired a winner on Saturday's Rosehill card, with Eusebio winning the $100,000 ATC Thanks Owners Handicap for Godolphin.
The 4YO has won his two starts this prep for trainer James Cummings and may well step up in grade after today's victory, bearing in mind he put together three wins in a row last season, that culminated with victory in the Listed Canberra Guineas.
While much has been written about the exciting quartet of new stallions retiring to Aquis this spring, Saturday's sire treble at Rosehill is a reminder that Aquis' stallion roster is backed up by proven sires on both their Queensland and NSW rosters.
Visit https://aquisfarm.com/to view the 2018 QLD and NSW stallion rosters.
All images Steve Hart
