Outrageous has moved on since a disappointing spring campaign with a tremendous first-up victory in the Autumn Trophy (1400m) at Flemington.
Saturday's
win signalled a possible return to Group 1 company for the son of Vinery sire
All Too Hard. The Team Hawkes-trained 3yo was an unlucky third in the ATC
Inglis Sires' Produce Stakes (1600m) twelve months ago and connections are
considering a start in the ATC Doncaster Hcp (1600m) back at Randwick on April
6.
Outrageous dictated terms in the Autumn Trophy and had enough in reserve to repel the challenges of East Indiaman (Hinchinbrook) and Jumbo Ozaki (Unencumbered).
"He let us down in the spring but is a different horse since being gelded," Dwayne Dunn said after the front-running victory. "He was the best horse in the race and came here to play today. He travelled and kicked and will improve with fitness."
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Outrageous was sold for $460,000 from the Vinery draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions to a syndicate managed by Rupert Leigh. He's the second foal of the Gai Waterhouse-trained Canterbury winner Fit And Ready (More Than Ready). The mare is a half-sister to Catbird (G1 Golden Slipper Stakes) and Danbird (G2 Pago Pago Stakes) and she had an All Too Hard filly sell for $300,000 to Belmont Bloodstock on the Gold Coast in January.
"We loved him from the first time we saw him at the Magic Millions," co-trainer Wayne Hawkes recalled. "Big and strong with a beautiful action. He was the one we wanted and he might end up being a cheap horse."
The Doncaster Mile is worth $3 million and a Group 1 will be a timely bonus for All Too Hard ahead of the Inglis Easter Sale. Among his yearlings are the half-brother to South African Horse of the Year Igugu (Lot 341) and the colt from Sapphire Stakes Gr.2 winner Arinosa (Lot 362).
