Written by Paul Vettise
Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) powered into reckoning for the G1 Golden Slipper S. with a commanding performance to land the G2 Silver Slipper S. while the heavily fancied Cellsabeel (Hinchinbrook) was a shock failure.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Farnan was a dominant winner of the Rosehill contest to book his place in the Golden Slipper, but Cellsabeel, who had held favouritism for next month’s feature, is now in limbo after finishing fifth.
Farnan cruised along behind the leader Early Rose (Choisir) before he assumed control 250 metres out and surged clear under Hugh Bowman to leave Global Quest (More Than Ready {USA}) and North Pacific (Brazen Beau) in his wake.
Cellsabeel settled back in the field on the rail and never looked a hope in the straight, trailing in 6.5l off the winner.
“There’s a great sense of timing about him. He’s proven to us that he’s a top class colt, but unfortunately he wasn’t able to display that at the Magic Millions,” Bott said.
Farnan on the way to victory
Farnan had been impressive in winning his first two starts before he was unplaced in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast, after which he was freshened.
“He’d done well in between runs and had a nice trial at Warwick Farm and a good follow up gallop last Tuesday morning,” Bott said. “He’s bounced back in great shape and able to show his true credentials here.”
“He’s bounced back in great shape and able to show his true credentials here.” – Adrian Bott
The early speed in the race surprised Bott, but it suited Farnan who was able to enjoy and economical run.
“I wasn’t quite expecting that level of pressure. We thought we might have been forced to take it up and control the race,” he said. “It worked out perfectly though, and he had a nice horse to follow and I loved the way he let down.
“He’s versatile, there’s improvement to come and he can handle pressure going forward.”
Connections of Farnan celebrate the win
Bott said Farnan’s dominance at the finish had surprised him, but served to underline the quality of the youngster.
“With the depth and the quality of the 2-year-olds in Sydney, you’ve always got to be impressed when they are able to do it in such fashion as he has.
“We’ve backed our colt and he’s rewarded us. He’s a very athletic horse so we’ll wait and see if he needs another run before the Slipper.”
Farnan as a yearling
Farnan was a $550,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase out of Vinery Stud’s draft and is raced by breeder Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Aquis Farm.
A half-brother to the dual stakes winner Sandbar (Snitzel), he is a son of Tallow (Street Cry {Ire}), a quality mare who won the G3 Vanity S. and finished runner-up in the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy.
She is from the family of the Listed Blue Diamond Preview winner Beauty School (Royal Academy {USA}) and the South African black type winners Petite Dane (Danehill {USA}) and Danish Silver (SAF) (Silvano {Ger}).
