Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Warwick Farm’s mid-week meeting on Wednesday produced a big field for the second event, the Vinery Stud H. for 2-year-olds, with an average sale purchase price of $200,000.
Much attention was focused on the Stonestreet filly Amen Corner (I Am Invincible), a $750,000 yearling and daughter of consistent stakeswinner Augusta Proud (More Than Ready {USA}). But it was the Snitzel colt Mr Mozart that got the better of the field by 1l, with Amen Corner and the aptly named Vaccine (Not A Single Doubt) filling the placings.
Mr Mozart is trained by the Hawkes team at Rosehill, and headed into Wednesday’s event with only a last-start trial win at Canterbury. Ridden by Tommy Berry, he was noticeably green in running, with the jockey admitting the colt was a challenging ride.
“He’s a difficult one to deal with,” Berry said post-race. “He’s a little bit field-shy and wanted to be out there on his own. He did it on raw ability today, so I’d say he’ll be better next prep.”
Keeping it in the family
Mr Mozart jumped second-widest in the race alongside Otelo (Shalaa {Ire}), and was cast deep around the turn. The fancied Amen Corner formed a bunch at the front with Trinity Missile (Super One) and Syracuse (Sebring). In the straight, Mr Mozart was still widest on the track but, inside the 200 metres, he kicked clear under Berry’s urgings and won by 1l.
Mr Mozart is a catchy-looking first son of Group 3-winning Euro Angel (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}). The Hawkes team know the family well, having trained Euro Angel to her G3 Ladies’ Vase victory at Caulfield in 2016, and she was tricky at times, like her colt.
Euro Angel (NZ) when racing
“He drew a bit awkward and he does want to get a little bit racy,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “He’s still learning and he’s still a baby, but he’s got a lot of heart and a lot of ability. He went super at Canterbury but just wanted to over-race a little, but that’s what babies do.”
On ice
Hawkes agreed with Berry’s assessment that the colt would be better as a 3-year-old, indicating a nomination for the G1 Sires’ Produce S. in early April might not be met.
“They’re always there, those sorts of races,” he said. “Today was about giving him a good experience, and that’s what he’s had.”
“Today was about giving him a good experience, and that’s what he’s had.” - Michael Hawkes
Mr Mozart was a homebred for part-owner David Russo, who was on-course to watch his colt and was visibly pleased with the result. Russo also raced Euro Angel, and retained her to breed when she retired in late 2017, the first fruits of that labour being this colt.
Euro Angel has a full sister to Mr Mozart on the ground, and visited Pierro at Coolmore this spring.
Determined winner
South of the border, Sandown Lakeside sent a small field of six around in the Ladbrokes Switch H., the only event on the card for 2-year-olds.
Medaglio D’Oro (USA) colt Amegdul was pre-post favourite, but the Jamie Kah factor was strong when she proved a winner aboard the well-named colt Predetermined (Headwater).
Watch: Predetermined - Sandown, March 3
Predetermined grabbed the lead shortly after the jump and cruised along with Dawn Hunter (Sebring) at his flank. Godolphin colt Amegdul was third but, heading into the straight, Kah was untouched on Predetermined. The colt went ahead by 2l, with Amegdul pressing in the closing 50 metres. It proved a 0.75l victory at the post for Predetermined from Amegdul, with Montana Flash (Star Turn) back in third.
Predetermined is trained by the Leon and Troy Corstens partnership at Flemington, and was a last-start fifth at Moonee Valley in October in the R. Listed Inglis Banner. Stable representative Dom Sutton said the colt was coming to the end of his prep with that run, and time off has suited him.
“I think he’s a horse that will definitely be winning races.” - Dom Sutton
“He’s furnished into a really nice colt now,” Sutton said. “I think he’s a horse that will definitely be winning races. It wasn’t really the plan to go forward and lead today, but he looked like he was slightly overdoing it at the back, so Jamie elected to roll forward and it ended up being the right decision.”
Making headway
Predetermined proved winner number 35 for Vinery resident Headwater. The colt was a 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale graduate for Vinery, purchased for $30,000 by Rhys Smith.
Predetermined as a yearling
He was then pinhooked for $60,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale before selling at that year’s Inglis Ready2Race Sale for a tidy $200,000. Baystone Farm was the vendor on that occasion, with Mark Pilkington the buyer.
The colt is the fourth foal from the unraced Red Ransom (USA) mare Future Gains, and among his ownership group is Victorian identity Rupert Legh, who had third-placed Montana Flash in the race.
