It’s been a hugely profitable day for Sun Stud stallions with Fighting Sun firing at Caulfield as the sire of the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Reef (1600m) winner Western Sun and the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes third Celestial Sol while up at the Gold Coast the farm’s stalwart Bel Esprit sired the $500,000 QTIS Aquis Jewel 2yo (1200m) winner Kisukano.
The Aquis Jewel was expected to be a benefit for the unbeaten Rothesay gelding Rothfire but he had no answer to the finishing burst of the Toowoomba-trained filly Kisukano who swept by under Mark Du Plessis to win by two lengths with the Spirit Of Boom filly Boomnova a further four and a half lengths back in third.
It was the third win in four starts for the Michael Nolan-trained filly whose only defeat came when second to Rothfire at Eagle Farm on February 15. The 2yo daughter of Bel Esprit has banked $428,750.
"There was a lot of talk about Rothfire but not much about us. You don't come here expecting to win but she has done well," Nolan told AAP.
"We thought if we ran second so be it, but we gave her a chance."
"I train her for the (owner-breeder) Reeves family who have been great supporters of mine. And a few mates from school are also in her do it is great."
It was a welcome win for Alexia Fraser Bloodstock who will consign a Better Than Ready half-sister to Kisukano to the upcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Her dam Kiss For Gran (Show a Heart) is a sister to the dam of recent Listed SAJC CS Hayes Memorial Cup winner Over Exposure and a three-quarter sister to the stakes-placed Show a Prince and a half-sister to Listed GCTC Silk Stocking Hcp winner Princess Margaret.
After placing at his last three starts, the Matt Cumani-trained Western Sun was overdue for a win.
The 3yo son of Fighting Sun blew passed the favourite Parmie (Snitzel) to win by a length and a quarter.
He’s such a lovely relaxed horse, he’s a bit of a star I think and he’s improving all the time,” Cumani said.
“I can’t claim credit for purchasing him as it was Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock who purchased him. He is just a lovely stamp of a horse who has improved physically over the past couple of years.
“We will target the VOBIS Gold Sires in a few weeks time and I think that is the perfect race for him.”
Consigned by Sun Stud to the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Western Sun was knocked down to Boomer Bloodstock for $220,000, which makes him the most expensive yearling by his sire sold at public auction.
Sun Stud had purchased his dam Westchester for $105,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale before parting with her last year at the Inglis Great Southern Sale for $15,000.
A 5-time winning daughter of Reset, Westchester has an unraced 2yo Fiorente (IRE) colt named Domfiore, a colt foal by Magnus and was covered by Churchill (IRE) last spring.
