Golden Slipper winning sire Farnan unleashed a pretty smart 2YO winner on Wednesday in Castillo King and on the same program his three-quarter brother Sandbar gave breeders a reminder of his talents when classy 3YO Dusty Bay saluted in the Benchmark 72 event.
While Farnan has had every opportunity in the Hunter Valley at Kia Ora and now Vinery kicking off at a $55,000 fee as befitting for a Golden Slipper winner, Sandbar has had to do it tougher off a $8,800 fee at the Lamont family owned Kooringal Stud down near Wagga.
A stakes-winning son of Snitzel, Sandbar was quick off the mark with a brilliant juvenile in Shaggy, who won his first three starts through January and February last year and has bankled over $240,000 in prizemoney.
Also in that first crop is Dusty Bay, who was a debut winner at two that has trained on to be competitive with some of the classy three year olds in Sydney with fourth placings last spring in the ATC Tapp Craig (1400m) and Callander Presnell (1600m) races.
Dropped back to Benchmark racing by his trainer Tracy Bartley after contesting the Group I ATC Randwick Guineas won by Sheza Alibi, Dusty Bay has been gaining confidence and with in form apprentice Siena Grima to ride on Wednesday was sent off favourite.
He made it look easy when romping to a two length win in the 1400m contest and has now won over $180,000 in prizemoney.
Bred in partnership by Kooringal Stud and retained to race, Dusty Bay is the second winner from Magic Dust, a winning three-quarter sister-in-blood by Magic Albert to Grou III winner Vital Flyer from stakes-winner Shepishir.
Magic Dust is due to foal again this year to Sandbar, who covered his best and biggest book of 69 mares last spring and is priced at $11,000.
Farnan now stands at $77,000, so for breeders that are seeking a similar bloodline and racing profile at a more affordable fee, Sandbar ticks all the boxes.
