Written by Georgie Dennis
Aysar (Deep Field) began his tilt at the G1 Caulfield Guineas with a tough win over 1300 metres at Sandown on Wednesday.
Starting as the short-priced favourite, the Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes-tranied colt settled fourth throughout the run before tracking up to the leaders in the straight and hitting the front with 200 metres to go.
With 70 days since his last runs, Aysar's lack of match fitness got the better of him in the final stages of the race, but he managed to hold on to win by 0.4l ahead fast finishers The Brumby (Spirit Of Boom) and Poland (So You Think {NZ}).
“He did a good job and Luke (Nolen) rode him very well,” Hayes said. “He was probably travelling too well and he hit the front a long way out and just stargazed a bit.
“I think the 70 days between runs might have taken its toll as well, but he did everything right today and we only had him about 85 per cent fit so he’ll really improve out of this run.”
Aysar had only two starts prior to Wednesday but ran out an impressive 3l winner at his last trip to the races at Sandown on July 1, prompting the Lindsay Park stable to put him away for the spring.
When asked if the colt would head to the G2 Caulfield Guineas Prelude for his next start, Hayes said: “Well that’s the plan. I’ll have a good chat to Tom (Dabernig) but I think he deserves a shot in the deep end and I think he’s an exciting horse going forward.”
Aysar as a yearling
Aysar was purchased by Shadwell Stud for $260,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is out of Miss Interiors (Flying Spur) who is a half-sister to dual Group 1-winning sprinter and Newgate Farm sire Russian Revolution and Group scorer Turbo Miss (Sebring).
Maiden winners set for classic trials
Oceanography (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Succeed Indeed (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) broke their maidens over 1600 metres at Sandown on Wednesday and are likely to be targeted at the Derby and Oaks Trials at Flemington in two weeks time.
At his third ever race start, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Oceanography went forward from barrier five under John Allen and settled outside the leader for the trip.
The colt hit the front with 400 metres to go and kicked clear to win by 0.75l ahead of Danny O’Brien’s Salto Angel (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).
"He's been in work a while and we've been patient with him, gradually increased his workload and in the last six weeks he's really started to thrive with the weather changing," Eustace said.
"He is taking his racing great. He is very straightforward and as a colt he does everything that is asked of him, has a really good constitution and is a professional horse.
"He's going to get a bit further and hopefully we can keep pushing on.”
Oceanography will next run in the Derby Trial over 1800 metres at Flemington for an automatic spot in the G1 VRC Derby and Eustace believes he will relish the conditions.
"He will love Flemington and the step up in trip," Eustace said.
"He will love Flemington and the step up in trip." - David Eustace
Purchased by Flying Start Syndications and Pinhook Bloodstock for NZ$25,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, Oceanography is out of Proud Miss S. winner Hanabananah (NZ) (King Charlemagne {USA}), making him a half-brother to five-time winner Fortune Road (NZ) (Road To Rock). Further back, this is also the family of multiple stakes winner Kootoomootoo (Danewin).
Oceanography (NZ) as a yearling
Oaks path
In the following race, the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Succeed Indeed showcased an electric turn of foot to come from back in the field and win by 1.5l.
Succeed Indeed kicked-off her career running third in the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders S. at Flemington and stable representative Dom Sutton said she had always shown ability at home.
“She’s a lovely filly,” Sutton said. “She’s also a filly that we think will get over a bit of a trip in time so it was good to see her do that today.”
Sutton said Succeed Indeed was also likely to go down the path of the Oaks Trial in two weeks time.
“We’ve had the Oaks in the back of our mind from the get go, so I’d say that’s a route that we’ll take but I’ll obviously leave that up to Leon and Troy,” he said.
Succeed Indeed was purchased by Malua Racing and Flemington Bloodstock for $45,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
She is one of three winners from three to race out of the dual stakes-placed mare Lucky Morna (Ferocity), while she is also related to R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic third Reigart (Iglesia).
Succeed Indeed as a yearling
