The $900,000 Snitzel colt Battleground could not quite get the job done on debut when a luckless second in a 3yo colts and geldings maiden over 1200 metres at Canterbury on Friday but two races later the $1,100,000 Snitzel filly Arousal broke her maiden with some authority.
Improving off her debut fourth over 1100 metres on the same track on November 29, Arousal travelled sweetly in third place under Josh Parr before lengthening impressively to chase down the front runner Single Blond (Not A Single Doubt) to score by two and a half lengths with Capri Of Tuffy (Zoffany) a short-head back in third.
Trainer Mark Newnham said the expensive purchase would have a light preparation before being aimed at better races in the autumn.
“She was really good tonight. Josh gave her a 10 out of 10 ride he summed it up early, got into the right spot and the filly did the rest,” Newnham said.
“I’d like to give her one more run and give her a light let-up into the autumn. I think she will make a good-class filly we’ve had to be a bit patient with her but I think it will be rewarded in the long run.
“She’s got a bit of class and took a good bit of benefit from her first start. Her race manners today reflected that, and she put them away well, so she’s got a promising future.”
Purchased by Mark Newnham Bloodstock for $1.1million out of the Widden Stud draft at the at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Arousal is the first foal of the Group III ATC Epona Stakes winner Intimate Moment (Dubawi) who is a half-sister to the Group III BRC Grand Prix winner Upham
(Mastercraftsman) and the Listed winner Bonnie Mac (Thorn Park).
Intimate Moment’s Sebring filly was purchased by RMA Bloodstock Trust for $500,000 out of the Widden draft at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Named Seduced and was sent to Danny O’Brien and races for many of the same owners in Arousal including Widden Stud.
There is plenty to look forward to as Intimate Moment has a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and foaled a Snitzel colt on November 18.
Buyers will have 57 chanced to purchase a Snitzel yearling at the Magic Millions beginning on January 8 at the Gold Coast.
