Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Of the five Group 1 races for 2-year-olds in 2023/24, three went to fillies and the other two were won by Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) who picked up the G1 Champagne S. and G1 JJ Atkins Plate.
Broadsiding leads Godolphin charge
Broadsiding was the find of the autumn last year with four wins in succession from April to June, all at stakes level. Trainer James Cummings left all options open for Broadsiding’s spring with a bold plan to avoid Godolphin’s other good colt, Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}), by missing the Golden Rose and instead running against the older horses.
“The King Charles III is three weeks after the Golden Rose and a week after the Caulfield Guineas,” Cummings told racenet.com.au last week. “It is not impossible for Broadsiding to run in the King Charles as we have another very good colt heading to the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas in Traffic Warden.
Broadsiding | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Broadsiding could go to the King Charles and Cox Plate, he could go from the King Charles to the Spring Champion and there's even the possibility he could run in Golden Rose, King Charles and (Victoria) Derby. The Cox Plate is there, I am leaving the door ajar for all of those possibilities.”
Traffic Warden won twice at two including the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. and ran fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper and second in the G1 Sires’ Produce S.
“Broadsiding could go to the King Charles and Cox Plate, he could go from the King Charles to the Spring Champion and there's even the possibility he could run in Golden Rose, King Charles and (Victoria) Derby.” - James Cummings
Storm Boy returns with a bang
Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) looked like being the most exciting juvenile of last season when he won four in succession including the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the G2 Skyline S. After his Magic Millions win, he was sold to Coolmore and partners in a significant deal.
Third in the G1 Golden Slipper and fourth in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. Storm Boy resumed in fine fashion at three with a stunning win in last Saturday’s G3 San Domenico S.
“We’d like to go to the Golden Rose, taking a traditional plan, the San Domenico, Run To The Rose and Golden Rose,” said co-trainer Adrian Bott. “Saturday was a good indicator. In fairness we are still trying to see where the horse will be at his peak, he showed really good speed on Saturday over a shorter trip which was exciting to see and may open up a few more options.
“We have always felt he would enjoy getting out to a mile or 2000 metres in line with progeny of Justify in Europe and America. With his good speed, his real asset will be sustaining it over a trip. If he can do that, that then takes him to a new level. And given his pedigree on his female side, there’s bit of stamina there too. The Golden Rose path will give us the indication, and we will keep everything open after that. Trying to get that initial Group 1 with him is so important. We all know the talent that’s there, and we want that recognised on his cv.”
“The Golden Rose path will give us the indication, and we will keep everything open after that. Trying to get that initial Group 1 with him is so important. We all know the talent that’s there, and we want that recognised on his cv.” - Adrian Bott
Storm Boy was originally a $460,000 purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott along with Kestrel Thoroughbreds from Coolmore Stud's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. Arguably the best son of superstar Justify in Australia, he is the first foal of Pelican (NZ) (Fastnet Rock), a city winning daughter of NZ Horse of the Year Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}).
“We have shares in Storm Boy,” added Suman Hedge. “We are johnny come lately’s there, chiming in once he was proven and I’m just happy my clients have a piece of him. He performed very well on Saturday, and he really switches on on race day. He certainly looked the part on Saturday and looked very sharp.”
Mayfair and Fearless
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) was asked the big question in the G3 San Domenico S. on Saturday and put his hand up as a colt to follow. Winner of one of his two starts at two, he ran a strong second to stablemate Storm Boy.
“Mayfair ran second to Storm Boy. He had a good winter campaign and is lightly raced. He’ll probably go to the Ming Dynasty and a Golden Rose campaign. He was stepping up on Saturday and performed very well,” said Bott of the colt who was purchased by the China Horse Club/Go Bloodstock/Newgate Farm/Trilogy Racing syndicate for $625,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is the second foal of Cicatrix (USA) (Violence {USA}) who was a Listed winner in America.
Mayfair | Image ocurtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Group 1-placed at two, Fearless (Pierata) is trained by Peter Snowden for a James Harron syndicate and is another on a Golden Rose pathway.
“He just had the one trial last week, and we were really pleased with the trial,” said James Harron. “He’ll be kept nice and fresh and go to the Run To The Rose. Tommy Berry rode him and was delighted with his trial, so will stick with him. After the Run To The Rose, he’ll press forward to the Golden Rose. He always looked like he’d potentially improve from two to three. He’s a big rangy athletic type of horse who has grown into himself and looks terrific.”
“He’ll (Fearless) be kept nice and fresh and go to the Run To The Rose. Tommy Berry rode him and was delighted with his trial, so will stick with him.” - James Harron
Fearless ran six times at two, five in group company. He won the non-stakes race and placed in the G1 Champagne S. behind Broadsiding and Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth). A $220,000 purchase by Harron from Highgrove Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Fearless is the second foal of winning mare Matildare (Rothesay) from the Circles Of Gold family that has produced Group 1 winners Starspangledbanner, Amicus (Fastnet Rock), Highland Reel (Ire), Cape Of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Haradasun (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}).
