Exciting Toronado (IRE) colt Tron Bolt could not have been more impressive at Rosehill on Saturday when surging away from his rivals to stake a big claim for the Group BRC I JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) in two weeks time.
Trained by Chris Waller for Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Tron Bolt won easily at Randwick at his second start over 1400m, but was dropping back to 1300m for this assignment and trying a heavy track for the first time.
Patiently ridden by apprentice Siena Grima, Tron Bolt made light of those two challenges, settling back in the field and unwinding a big finish to sail clear and win by two lengths over race favourite Cormier.
“The main thing was just to get him to relax early. It's a great privilege to ride in these colors and \when I asked him at the top of the straight, just to build, I felt him really switch on and I thought… oh, we've got them,” said Siena Grima.
“He's very smooth. He carries his head out and down, so I just made sure he had plenty of rein, obviously stepping back in trip today, but he's lined up for a nice race and I can't thank the team enough.”
Tron Bolt topped the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale last year for Hunters Lodge when selling for $900,000 and was a super successful pinhook having been sourced by Hunter’s Lodge and Liam Ruddy for $250,000 from the Gilgai Farm draft at Inglis Easter.
“Onwards and upwards and obviously the JJ Atkins (G1) looms,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.
“I think the mile won't be an issue at all. We were just talking to Darren (Beadman)and saying it's amazing for breeze up horse, as they often get the reputation for being a bit fired up because they've had to use their speed as their sales pitch, but he's beautiful and relaxed.
“He just hasn't put a foot wrong from the moment he arrived in the stable in his first preparation right the way through to today. So he's a smart colt and another nice one for Hermitage.”
Tron Bolt is well on his way with two wins and a third from three starts and prizemoney of $114,800.
He was bred by Gilgai Farm and is the first foal from Group III winning Casino Prince mare Baccarat Baby, who was bought by Dermot Farrington on behalf of Gilgai at the 2022 Magic Millions National Sale conducted Spendthrift Dispersal for $900,000.
Baccarat Baby is a half-sister to triple Group I winner Duais, who is now part of the Yulong broodmare band, and Group II winner Philia, who made $1.4million at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale when purchased by Katsumi Yoshida.
Baccarat Baby has a yearling colt by Toronado that Gilgai Farm sold at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale last year for $110,000, but has slipped and missed in two subsequent seasons, so no doubt her owners will be hoping she goes in foal this spring.
Famed for producing champions such as Black Caviar, All Too Hard, Ole Kirk and more recent G1 winner Nepotism, Gilgai Farm were active at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale this week securing Group II placed So You Think mare So Glamorous for $675,000 and stakes-winning Brutal mare Harlem Queen for $400,000.
They were also active at Inglis Chairman’s Sale securing Group III winning Tavistock mare Good Banter (NZ) for $350,000 and Group II winning Sacred Falls mare Eternal Flame (NZ) for $400,000.
