Melbourne's leading 3-year-old colts: what are their goals?

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Earlier this week, TTR ran a feature on Growing Empire, the promising colt by Zoustar, who is making waves as he heads towards the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

Following his dominant victory in Saturday’s G3 HDF McNeill S., Growing Empire has emerged as a leading contender, dominating the betting markets. His impressive form and performance have positioned him as a standout in this year's competitive field.

Renowned bloodstock agent James Harron shares his excitement about the Coolmore Stud S. “The Coolmore really is the Golden Slipper for 3-year-olds. Everything meets there, and it could be a hell of a year for the race!” Harron enthuses.

“We take a lot of time in planning for our horses, from their spells through to their preparation to find programs that are the most suitable and listening to the stables as they get ready for those targets.

“It’s a wonderful time of year, it doesn’t get any better and it looks like an amazing spring with the quality of horses coming on the scene, so it’ll be ultra-competitive.”

We spy Espionage on a Coolmore track

Espionage (Zoustar) was acquired for $1 million by James Harron from Baramul Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and he quickly justified the investment with a debut victory in the G3 Breeders’ Plate. Following that, he secured second place in the G2 Silver Slipper and finished fifth in the G2 Todman S., before capping off his juvenile season with a win in the G3 Kindergarten S. Espionage is the third foal and third winner out of In Times Of War (Street Cry {Ire}), a city-winning mare who is a daughter of R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic and G2 Reisling S. winner Military Rose (General Nediym).

“We have Espionage who won a Breeders Plate and Kindergarten at two, and he was a high-profile yearling purchase. He has always promised to improve as a top-class sprinting 3-year-old. His program will be centred around the Coolmore, and he’ll resume in the Heritage,” said co-trainer Adrian Bott.

“He had a 740-metre trial recently to kick off his preparation,” said Harron. “It dusted the cobwebs off, he was brilliant. His action was excellent, he had a really nice breeze around and Tommy (Berry) got a great feel from him.

“We are pleased with how he’s come back and he's in great order, and he will trial again before heading to Heritage S. That’ll give us information to make a decision on his future. His options are open with regard to The Everest or the Coolmore or both. He’s giving everyone a good feeling around the stable. Tommy (Berry) is over the moon with him.”

Harron’s colts target Coolmore

James Harron’s colts syndicate also purchased Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, going to $1.6 million for the colt from Emirates Park. He is the first foal of Tumooh (Fastnet Rock), an unraced daughter of G1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun (Mossman) who has also produced Group 3 winner Dajraan (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Bodyguard won the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. on debut, then followed it up with a win in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings). He had two more starts at two but was unplaced.

“He’s had a nice break. He had a holiday in Queensland and looks amazing,” said Harron.

“He’s blossomed into an imposing 3-year-old. He’s been very effective in Melbourne, so he’ll go back to Melbourne after trialling in Sydney with the aim of the Roman Consul or Danehill. His ultimate plan being the Coolmore.”

Aardvark (Capitalist) won the Listed Talindert S. at two, as well as placing on debut in the Listed Debutant S. behind Coleman (Pierata) and Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}).

He was a $260,000 purchase by Baystone Farm from Highgrove Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and was withdrawn from the Magic Millions 2YOs In Training Sale and is now in the ownership of a James Harron colt’s syndicate.

“He showed us last preparation that he’s effective down the straight at Flemington,” said Harron. “He will go to Poseidon S. at Flemington. He’s on a Coolmore pathway, so all going well, he will do Poseidon, Danehill, Coolmore. (This season) he’s mentally and physically stronger. Blake Shinn has been doing a lot of work on him and is happy with him.”

Coleman’s big targets

The first colt home in the G1 Golden Slipper, Coleman, has a very ambitious spring ahead of him as he resumes in the G1 AJ Moir S. on Saturday at Moonee Valley against the older sprinters.

“Obviously we are there to run well but it's going to be a very sharp, fast-run race and as long as we are closing off strong, it is going to propel us into some better-suited races second and third-up,” trainer Matt Laurie told racing.com on Tuesday. Coleman will then go to the G1 Manikato S. before heading towards the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

From the first crop of Pierata, Coleman won his first two in succession at two, being the Listed Debutant S. and G3 Chairman’s S. He missed in the G1 Blue Diamond, then went to Sydney where he ran third in the G3 Pago Pago S., second in the G1 Golden Slipper and third in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. finishing his juvenile season with earnings over $1.1 million.

Sold by Kulani Park at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $550,000, he was purchased by Laurie and Justin Bahen. A half-brother to Listed winner Liwa (Mulaazem), he is out of Sboog (Redoute’s Choice) who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner and sire Rothesay and Listed winner Sensei (Dream Ahead {USA}).

Waterhouse trio for Melbourne

Adrian Bott outlined three lightly raced colts who will head to Melbourne. Ikasara (I Am Invincible) heads towards the G1 Coolmore Stud S. while Prost (Snitzel) and Wanaruah (Snitzel) are both on a G1 Caulfield Guineas path.

“Ikasara had one start and won well in a good form race. I’d love to see him head to the Coolmore eventually. It’s the benchmark for those sprinting 3-year-olds.”

Unbeaten Ikasara was purchased by Waterhouse and Bott in conjunction with TFI (Aquis Farm) for $800,000 from the Kia Ora Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He is the third foal of Group 2 winner Ektifaa (More Than Ready {USA}).

“Prost will resume in either Melbourne or the Run To the Rose and is on a Guineas path,” said Bott.

Prost ran third on debut in the G3 Breeders’ Plate, then won the G3 Canonbury S. before finishing second to Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) in the G2 Skyline S. A $650,000 purchase by Waterhouse and Bott in conjunction with Kia Ora Stud and TFI from Baramul Stud’s 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, he is out of the city winner Samarmeteors (Northern Meteor) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Samaready (More Than Ready {USA}), the dam of Shinzo (Snitzel), and to Group winner Night War (General Nediym).

“Wanaruah ran second to Autumn Glow and prior to that had been unbeaten. He’s putting together a handy record and will head to the Guineas Prelude.”

Wanaruah won both his starts at two, and his second in the G3 Up And Coming S. last Saturday was his first run at three. Passed in as a yearling he is raced by Fernrigg Farm and partners and is the third winner for Group 2 winner Mella Maria (Star Witness).

Hedge’s collection of exciting 3-year-olds

Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) won his first two starts at two including the G3 Tl Baillieu H., before running second in the G1 Champagne S. at his final start at two.

“John (O'Shea)’s plan with him is the Caulfield Guineas,” said Suman Hedge. “His work this time in has been very positive, and we are looking forward to seeing him. He’ll start his preparation in Sydney.

“We have several horses with John and he’s placing them very well. Having Tom (Charlton) on board has been great and their strike rate is really good. We are happy with the yearlings we bought that year.”

Purchased for NZ$160,000 by John O’Shea Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, he is from the first crop of Super Seth and is the third foal of Garden of Swans (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), an unraced half-sister to Group 1 winner Mukhadram (GB) (Shamardal {USA}).

Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}), another of Hedge's 3-year-olds, placed in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. before heading up to Brisbane where he won in the city before running third in the G1 JJ Atkins behind Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Bittercreek (Snitzel). He also placed behind Linebacker earlier in his campaign.

“Annabel Neasham has Bosustow,” said Hedge. “He ran on raw talent as 2-year-old, now he’s a bit more mature. He’s running on Saturday, and we are keen to see what he can do.

“Hopefully he’ll be aimed at Caulfield Guineas. He’s by Blue Point so should improve as he gets older, and he is the half to Amelia’s Jewel so has a huge pedigree. I can see him doing something in the spring.”

A $900,000 purchase by the Rosemont Alliance with Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Annabel Neasham from Segenhoe Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, Bosustow is from the first Southern Hemisphere crop for Blue Point, and as mentioned by Hedge is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), out of stakes placed winner Bumbasina (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}).

Komodo Dragon (Hellbent) was purchased by John O’Shea Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $170,000 from Yarraman Park Stud and ran third on debut at two, before winning two in succession at three.

“He looks very promising,” said Hedge. “John will probably just go through the grades with him to see where he ends up. He’s raw with good natural talent.”