Written by Bren O'Brien
Custodian, the most expensive-ever yearling by Arrowfield shuttle stallion Shalaa (Ire) and the half-brother to Group 1 winner Profondo (Deep Impact {Jpn}), has made a strong first racetrack impression, winning his first trial at Randwick on Thursday.
While ruling G1 Golden Slipper S. favourite and R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) was a no-show at Randwick, with her trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace opting instead to send the boom filly to the beach, Custodian was happy to step into the spotlight, something he may have to become accustomed to, given his profile.
Custodian as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Racing in the colours of James Harron Bloodstock, Custodian, who is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, showed his rivals a clean pair of heels throughout, controlling the 1050-metre trial and winning by 0.7l in a time of 1:03.46, which was comparable to other trials run over the same distance on the day.
James McDonald put the Shalaa colt straight to the front and asked him for a bit of an effort inside the final furlong when challenged by the Will Freedman-trained Fashion Legend (Deep Field). He was holding that horse comfortably to the line, with another 0.8l back to another Shalaa 2-year-old, the John O'Shea-trained filly Sleigh Queen.
In winning his first trial, he emulated his half-brother, who won his first hitout over the 1050 metres at Randwick last May. Profondo, the $1.9 million yearling trained by Richard Litt, did not race until the spring, but made a huge impression when he did make the track, winning the G1 Spring Champion S. emphatically at just his third start.
His return to the track in next month's G1 Randwick Guineas is highly anticipated and he may be joined at the races soon by Custodian, who holds nominations for the G1 Golden Slipper S. and the G1 Inglis Sires'.
The Shalaa colt cost Harron $1.15 million from the Arrowfield Stud draft at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He and Profondo are out of the Group 3-winning Redoute's Choice mare Honesty Prevails, whose Dundeel (NZ) yearling colt sells as Lot 214 for Arrowfield at the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Matcha makes the most
The other 2-year-old trial was a bit of an anticlimax after Coolangatta's withdrawal, although in a three-horse field, the Mark Newnham-trained colt Matcha Latte (Maurice {Jpn}) was an impressive 5l winner in 1:03.71.
He defeated Dissident gelding Ra Ra Grandpa, who is trained by Brad Widdup, with World Invasion (Invader) third for Peter and Paul Snowden.
Matcha Latte as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Matcha Latte, who is out of Wayward (Redoute's Choice), the half-sister to G1 Caulfield Cup winner Tawqeet (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}), was a $150,000 purchase for Viribright Racing out of the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner September Run (Exceed And Excel) looks to be back in strong form having won her 1050-metre trial in 1:03.15 earlier in the session.
The Chris Waller-trained mare surged late to defeat stakes-performed filly Robodira (Husson {Arg}), with stakes winner Aim (Star Witness) in third.
Gallery: Some of the triallers at Randwick, images courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Other notable trial winners were Cotehele (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), the promising 3-year-old from the O'Shea stable who clocked the quickest 1050-metre time of the morning, 1:02.44, and Newnham's Group-winning stayer Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who held out Group 2-winning mare Nimalee (So You Think {NZ}) in the first trial of the morning over 1200 metres.
