A gelding operation for what co-trainer Paul Snowden described as 'an attitude problem,' delayed the start to the career of Leviathan but it proved worth the wait as the 2-year-old son of Zoustar came with a barnstorming finish to make a winning debut over 1100 metres on the Kensington track at Randwick on Monday.
Ridden by Tim Clark, Leviathan was travelling sweetly in third place on the rails as the favourite Lucicello took up the running. Clark had to bide his time to find a seam between Eleven Eleven and Night Flyer at the 250 metres and once in clear air the son of Zoustar quickened impressively to defeat the fast-finishing Snitzel colt Snazz 'N' Charm by one and three-quarter lengths with the I Am Invincible filly Lucicello hanging on bravely to finish a further long-head back in third.
"He was electric. He had a nice run, began well from an inside gate, he travelled well throughout and when he got the gap he exploded through and put the race beyond doubt," Clark said.
Purchased by James Harron Bloodstock for $375,000 out of the Woodside Park draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Leviathan (pictured as a yearling) is the first foal of the very talented Lonhro mare Lady Lakshmi who was offered by Glastonbury Farm at the recent National Broodmare Sale. Carrying a positive test to Written Tycoon, she could not find a buyer willing to shell out the $350,000 reserve.
A three-quarter sister to Group III winner and twice Group 1-placed Generaliffe and a half-sister to Listed stakes-winner and Group II Edward Manifold Stakes third Celebrity Girl (Starcraft), Lady Lakshmi won five races when trained by Stephen Theodore and placed twice at Group III level and twice in Listed races.
The daughter of Lonhro has a yearling filly and weanling colt by Written Tycoon.
