Written by Bren O'Brien
The Peter Moody-trained Frankel (GB) colt Rampant Lion impressed in winning a Cranbourne 2-year-old trial on Monday and may be set to make an impression in the early-season juvenile races.
Peter Moody
Ridden by Brian Higgins and having his second public hitout after a recent Pakenham jump-out, Rampant Lion tracked along the inside of runners and was let down to defeat stablemate Millane (Zoustar) by 0.75l in the 800-metre trial, with the Phillip Stokes-trained Runaway Belle (Pariah) in third.
He stopped the clock at 46.96s, which was 0.8s slower than the other 2-year-old trial, but it was a win done in the manner of a promising horse.
Rampant Lion was passed in short of his $550,000 reserve at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by his breeders at Rosemont Stud. He was retained to race in a partnership which also includes Wylie Dalziel/Roy Higgins Racing.
Rampant Lion as a yearling
Rosemont Stud purchased his dam, Furnival (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}), privately out of the United Kingdom and she travelled to Australia in February 2019, having visited Frankel to Southern Hemisphere time.
Furnival, bred by Darley, may have been bred in the United States, but she boasts an Australian background to her family, being a three-quarter sister to Westbury Stud resident and stakes winner Telperion, a family which also includes G1 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari (Lonhro).
It's not necessarily a pedigree which lends itself to early 2-year-old types, but Rosemont Stud's General Manager - Bloodstock, Ryan McEvoy, said the colt had impressed Moody ever since getting into the stables.
"He's belying his pedigree, but ever since he set foot in the Peter Moody yard, Pete has been rather vocal about this colt not knowing he was a Frankel. He looks a real speed horse," McEvoy said.
"It’s exciting to think here's a Frankel colt with a big pedigree as good-looking as he is, showing this sort of speed so early."
Millane, a Zoustar colt purchased for $1.15 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by the Rosemont-led Victorian Alliance in partnership with Moody Racing and bloodstock agents Suman Hedge and David Redvers, also impressed in second place.
The son of Group 2-winning mare Fireworks (Snitzel) is raced in partnership with his breeders at Fairway Thoroughbreds.
Wizard holds strong
Another seven-figure Zoustar colt purchased by the Victorian Alliance under Moody's care, Brereton, finished second in the other trial.
That was won by the Shawn Mathrick-trained The Wizard King (Flying Artie), who held off Brereton is in a competitive battle to the line in 46.16s.
The Wizard King was a $30,000 purchase by his trainer at the Inglis Melbourne Gold Sale this year from the draft of Diamond Park and Breeding. He is a half-brother to stakes winner Jackofall (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), with their dam a half-sister to Group 1 winner Cheeky Choice (Redoute's Choice).
Brereton is out of Group 3-winning mare Fuddle Dee Duddle (Red Ransom {USA}) and cost an even $1 million from the Widden Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Cannonball (Capitalist), who cost James Harron Bloodstock $975,000 through the same Sale, was another 5l back in third.
Brereton as a yearling
In what was a good morning for Rosemont Stud-owned horses, smart sprinting mare Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) won her trial well and will resume in the G1 Moir S., later this month.
