The 1400 metre 2-year-old feature was identified as the ideal race for the well-bred colt and, as usual, the timing of local trainers Peter and Paul Snowden was immaculate.
King’s Legacy also delivered a major pedigree boost for his sister who will be offered by breeder Segenhoe Stud during next week’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale at Lot 355.
“It’s very pleasing obviously on so many levels. He was an expensive yearling and now he’s gone on to be a Group 1 winner,” Paul Snowden said.
“We gave him that time off after the Magic Millions and we got a berth into the Slipper off some money he’d earned previously.”
Lot 355 - Redoute's Choice x Breakfast In Bed (USA) filly
King’s Legacy finished fifth in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January and went into the G1 Golden Slipper S. without a lead-up run and finished back in ninth spot.
“I thought he got a pass mark. It wasn’t his preferred ground and obviously Rosehill was very tired on that day so I thought he did quite well and his run only ended inside the last furlong.”
Post-Slipper improvement
Snowden said King’s Legacy had showed significant improvement with the benefit of the Slipper outing to top him off perfectly for the Sires’ Produce.
“The next day he was happy as Larry and bouncing off the walls. He was always going to get better at seven furlongs and hopefully in a couple of weeks you’ll see him even better at a mile.”
Now the winner of two of his five starts, King’s Legacy will make his next appearance in the G1 Champagne S.
“He’s got a great constitution and was one of those early 2-year-olds up and running before Christmas and carrying his form on,” Snowden said.
King’s Legacy was bought out of Segenhoe’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft by bloodstock agent James Harron for $1.4 million and is a son of the multiple winner and stakes performer Breakfast In Bed (Hussonet {USA}).
King's Legacy as a yearling
Group 1 pedigree
Dam Breakfast In Bed is a half-sister to the G1 Flight S. winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. runner-up Oohood (I Am Invincible) and the family of outstanding stallion Not A Single Doubt.
King’s Legacy was ridden by Hugh Bowman and his pre-race assessment was quickly shot.
Hugh Bowman
“I was surprised at the pace early and I didn’t expect to be last, but he gave me so much confidence going to the barrier,” he said.
“I sat on this horse six weeks ago and said to the Snowdens that I’ve found a good horse here and their reply was yes, he’s first up into the Slipper. The stable felt that he needed beyond 1200 metres.
“I was surprised at the pace early and I didn’t expect to be last, but he gave me so much confidence going to the barrier." - Hugh Bowman
“They’ve been repaid and so has James Harron and his team who identify these excellent young colts and he’s now a Group 1 winning son of Redoute’s Choice.”
Prague (Redoute’s Choice) raced outside the leader and kicked clear 300 metres from home, but was unable to hold out the finish of King’s Legacy.
The favourite Mamaragan (Wandjina) got well back and finished stoutly for third ahead of Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon).
Exciting prospect
The opening on day one of The Championships also showcased a potential star in the form of Ole Kirk's stablemate Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt), who demolished his rivals in the G3 Widden Kindergarten S.
A midweek debut winner in early March, the Team Hawkes-trained colt was angled into the open 300 metres from home by rider Brenton Avdulla and he exploded clear to win easing down by 4l.
“He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with as a 3-year-old. That's why we kept him back and we didn't really want to rush him into the bigger races like the Sires,” Michael Hawkes said.
He’s a Group winner now and worth a lot of money so he’ll go for a break.”
Doubtland was bred by Arrowfield and sold to the closing $1.1 million bid of Orbis Bloodstock at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He is a brother to the Listed Mode Plate winner Pretty Fast with their dam the multiple winner and Group performer Miss Sharapova (NZ) (Ustinov).
Doubtland as a yearling
“We just get these colts right at the right time and when he got out wide it was all over,” Hawkes said. “He’s a lovely colt and will be a much better horse next time around. He’s just continued to please us.”
Rider Brenton Avdulla was aboard Doubtland in his maiden success on the Kensington course and said the youngster was a lot more settled and relaxed at Randwick.
“He’s a quality colt with a really bright future. I just waited to give him clear air and it was all over, he's heading to things much better,” he said.
