The Benchmark 72 event over 1300m at Rosehill on Saturday is a race that as been won in the past two years by very progressive 3YO’s Autumn Glow and Ninja with this year’s winner Steel Will looking to follow in their footsteps.
Trained by Chris Waller, the Go Bloodstock (Sir Owen Glenn) homebred I Am Invincible colt Steel Will was a Breednet ‘One to Watch’ when resuming from a spell to post an impressive six length maiden win at Wyong on August 2.
Taking on some other smart types on Saturday, Steel Will chased the leader Plagiarism throughout and surged at the finish for James McDonald to win by a half a length over late closing Savabeel filly Savvy Diamond.
With two wins from four starts and prizemoney topping $120,000, Steel Will is a colt with a big pedigree as a half-brother to dual Group I winner September Run, Group III winner Steel City and stakes-placed Steel Strike.
“It’s good to have horses for Sir Owen Glenn and he’s got a good one here,” said Chris Waller.
“He didn’t win by a lot today and he was expected to, but it wasn’t perfect placement. He’s only just won his maiden and wasn’t fully tested that day and he’s had the quick back up and the rain has come, so it was a stepping stone to get some prizemoney in the bank and make it easier for him to get into some bigger races.”
The Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) is the long range plan for Steel Will with stakes races in Sydney and Melbourne under consideration as he progresses into the spring.
Steel Will is the fifth winner from five foals to race from Group III winning Street Cry (IRE) mare Pittsburgh Flyer.
Steel Will looks a bright prospect for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible, who sired a dozen stakes-winners last season headed by three Group I winners – Caballus, Charm Stone one New Zealand trained 2YO colt Seize the Day.
I Am Invincible stands this spring at $220,000.
