Written by Richard Edmunds
For the second straight year, the aqua-and-black colours of Aquis Farm have been carried to victory in the G3 Arrowfield Breeders’ Plate at Randwick.
The talented Dubious (Not a Single Doubt) got his career off to the perfect start in the 1000-metre race last year, and on Saturday the promising Global Quest (More Than Ready {USA}) followed suit.
Out of the Group 2-placed Fastnet Rock mare Global Dream, the colt was a $340,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is raced by Aquis Farm in partnership with G1G Racing & Breeding, with breeders Highgrove Stud also retaining a share of the ownership.
Global Quest as a yearling
Global Quest won a Kensington trial on September 23, and on Saturday he brought that form to raceday with a strong come-from-behind performance.
After jumping from gate three, jockey James McDonald found a midfield position and bided his time until the home straight.
When McDonald turned him loose, Global Quest produced an irresistible finish over the top of Postcode (Vancouver) and Beyliks (Lonhro) to win by 1l.
The Breeders’ Plate has been a springboard to Group 1 stardom for the likes of Choisir (Danehil Dancer {Ire}), Charge Forward (Red Ransom {USA}), Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), Sebring (More Than Ready {USA}), Pierro (Lonhro), Vancouver (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) and Capitalist (Written Tycoon) in the last 20 years.
McDonald believes Global Quest has the credentials to join that esteemed company.
“Very smart colt,” he said. “He’s so professional in what he does. He is race-savvy, jumps extremely well, takes a position, relaxes and he has got a good sight about him too. A lovely, lovely colt that is going to go places. “
“He’s so professional in what he does. He is race-savvy, jumps extremely well, takes a position, relaxes and he has got a good sight about him too" - James McDonald
Obviously this race is very important, some champion 2-year-olds have won it, and hopefully this guy can go on and do it.
“He’s really smart, imposing, big and strong. I took note from the 2-year-old trials to now that a lot of them had gone off the boil, sweating up, but he was a cool customer, walking around like an old pony.”
Trainer Chris Waller has been pleased with how Global Quest has progressed from trial day to raceday.
“He’s improved,” he said. “We’ve had a good look at things over the last couple of years. We came up with a plan to not change anything and let them get to these races if they ready to trial and then make the necessary improvement. Not surprised to see him jump out of the ground today. Pre-race, he was coping well so all the right signs.”
Waller is familiar with the colt’s family, training the Group 2 winner Noire (Foxwedge), who is a half-sister to Global Quest’s dam Global Dream.
Two stakes placings for Vancouver
First-season sire Vancouver, who won the Breeders’ Plate in 2014, made a highly promising start on Saturday with placings in both of Sydney’s first 2-year-old stakes races of the season.
Ticket To Ride ran third in the Gimcrack S., beaten by just over 1l, while Postcode finished 1l behind Global Quest in second in the Breeders’ Plate.
Vancouver, sire of Ticket To Ride and Beyliks
“He ran very well,” Postcode’s jockey Tim Clark said. “He just got held up after straightening – he would have made it interesting. He’s a nice colt.
Meanwhile, the Breeders’ Plate third placegetter Beyliks also made a favourable impression on jockey Hugh Bowman.
“He’s a beautiful colt, and he’s only going to get better as the distances get further,” he said.
