We might be in the depths of winter, but there was some quality on show at Rosehill on Saturday where talented Extreme Choice colt Omolong kept his record at a perfect two for two when charging home to win.
An impressive debut winner at Warwick Farm last month, the Chris Waller trained colt was an easing favourite for the 11100m juvenile scamper in the face of strong support for unraced I Am Invincible filly Kotor.
The filly duly led for home, but she had gone hard in the run and Omolong duly swooped on the leaders for Siena Grima to score by half a length.
Chris Waller was well pleased with the win and can now look towards loftier targets for the well bred colt, who runs for Yulong with his breeder Gerry Harvey retaining a share in his ownership.
“He could have run six months ago, but he wasn’t mentally ready for that although he has always shown us plenty of ability,” said Chris Waller.
“He will have a short break now, but will need more than a week or two, so we’d be aiming towards races later in the spring when he can hopefully catch up to some of the better ones.
"The Golden Rose (G1) will come around too quickly for him so we will pick out something mid-spring and aim him at the Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1).
"I remember Northern Meteor started late in the spring before winning the Coolmore so it will be that style of preparation for this colt.''
An $850,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase from Baramul Stud for Yulong, Omolong topped that sale despite being conceived in January, so he has a December 19 foaling date, which explains his somewhat belated debut for a colt with a pedigree packed with juvenile speed.
Omolong has banked over $110,000 and is a half-brother to Group II winner Prost from a half-sister to dual Group I winner Samaready, the dam of Golden Slipper winner Shinzo, who was also trained by Chris Waller.
Omolong is the fifth winner from six foals to race from Samarmeteors, who has not had a foal since he was born, but was covered last spring by Broadsiding.
Yulong have already had luck with Extreme Choice having purchased his Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Devil Night as a yearling and he will stand at their new Hunter Valley location this spring.
Omolong is the sixth 2YO winner this season from just nine runners for Extreme Choice and they include Group winning colts Paradoxium, Berzelius and Hidrix.
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