A select field of eight runners have accepted for the Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday including the Golden Slipper winner Guest House and while seven of the eight are winners, one colt will be making his debut, so who is he?
It’s not unusual for two year-olds to make their debut in a stakes race, but it is a somewhat unusual for it to happen at three.
Well supported in early betting, the Team Hawkes trained colt Wild Atlantic has had plenty of experience at the trials winning four of five to date, but Saturday will be a whole new ball game.
If anyone can pull this off it probably will be the Hawkes crew given they won this race in 2019 with Wild Atlantic’s sire Exceedance.
Exceedance had started twice previously for a Wyong maiden win and a third at Rosehill, but was held in high regard and started second favourite to Bivouac in the San Domenico at his first run back from a spell.
On a heavy 9, Exceedance went past Bivouac like he was tied to the fence and then placed behind him at his next two starts in the G2 Run to the Rose and G1 Golden Rose, before turning the tables on him to win the G1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Wild Atlantic was the highest priced yearling by Exceedance sold in 2025 when snapped up from the Vinery draft at Magic Millions for $320,000 by Hawkes Racing.
Wild Atlantic has the Vinery V brand on the side of him which is a big plus in a stakes race and he is a half-brother to Group III winner Aspect and stakes-winner Brown Ben with his dam Innishbeg producing five winners from five foals to race.
Can Wild Atlantic keep her record perfect?
