Cover image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Overlooking perceived faults is the key to finding a bargain and Proven Thoroughbreds ignored the plain head on Apex Predator (Tiger Of Malay) to pick up a steal of a filly. Glenlogan Park sold the unbeaten 2-year-old filly at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $35,000, half the median price for that sale in 2025.
With a two from two race record, and $53,000 in QTIS bonuses, the Matt Hoystead-trained filly has already banked $123,300 for her connections.
She should be better at three
A trial winner in January and again in early June, Apex Predator cruised to a half-length victory on debut at Doomben on Wednesday, June 17. She was ridden by Jag Guthmann-Chester who was aboard again for her second start on Saturday where she won over 1350 metres by just over three-quarters of a length at the same track.
“I was very impressed with the way she handled herself today but unusually, she’s again ripped off a front plate on jumping, exactly as she did on debut,” Hoysted said.
“She can now head to the paddock for a four to six week break. You’d think with the promise she’s shown this prep and being able to absorb what she’s learned this campaign, that she’ll continue to keep improving.”
“You’d think with the promise she’s (Apex Predator) shown this prep and being able to absorb what she’s learned this campaign, that she’ll continue to keep improving.” - Matt Hoystead
A spell and then a 3-year-old campaign is the plan for Apex Predator and this fits with the Proven Thoroughbreds way of doing things.
“Normally we don't race horses much in their first racing prep. And we only extended her preparation after she won on debut because she did so well. Matt saw this race and it was 3.5 weeks away, which is a bit of a risk setting a 2-year-old for a race that far in advance,” Proven Thoroughbreds' Jamie Walter said.
Jamie Walter | Image courtesy of Inglis
A little bit plain in the head
Walter recalls that Apex Predator was initially passed in after walking through the ring and they did the deal with Glenlogan Park to buy her for $35,000 later on that day.
“She was a nice type, but she was pretty plain in the head,” Walter said.
“I saw her and quite liked her, and Steve O'Dea, who I worked with for years, is still a good mate and a very knowledgeable guy. I asked his opinion of her. And he gave her a thumbs up, so that gave me the impetus to conclude the deal, as it were.
“She was reasonable size. Average, with a very nice straight hind leg. And she was correct. Good short cannons, but she was pretty plain in the head. That might have turned a few people off, plus when we bought her, she was the eighth foal of the mare.”
“Good short cannons, but she (Apex Predator) was pretty plain in the head. That might have turned a few people off, plus when we bought her, she was the eighth foal of the mare.” - Jamie Walter
Apex Predator as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Apex Predator’s dam, Morganza (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), at the time had four winners from five to race with an unraced 2-year-old, who would later become stakes-placed Brave Danza (Brave Smash {Jpn}). While Morganza was quite exposed, her four winners were all multiple winners, and at the time had won 16 races between them.
She now has six winners from eight to race.
“There’s a good horse in Melbourne called Brave Danza, who subsequently has won over 2000 at Flemington. When you get updates like that after a buying a horse, it gives you a bit of confidence.”
Brave Danza | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Brave Danza won his maiden over 1750 metres, before adding a Flemington win over 2000 metres in May this year. He also ran second to Different Gravy (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) in the Listed TAB Trophy over 1800 metres in the spring.
Tiger Of Malay still unknown
She is one of six winners for her first season sire Tiger Of Malay, a son of Extreme Choice whose versatility and excellence is world class. Tiger Of Malay's first yearlings in 2025 averaged $50,000, and also include stakes-placed Momentslikethese. Winner of the Kirkham Plate and G2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at two, Tiger Of Malay trained on at three to win the G3 Up & Coming Handicap.
“Tiger of Malay was probably the least qualified of the stallions (the mare had visited) because this was his first crop, considering she'd been to Written Tycoon and thrown a handy horse, and Capitalist, Pride Of Dubai, and Brave Smash,” Walter said.
“Tiger of Malay was probably the least qualified of the stallions (the mare had visited) because this was his first crop, considering she'd (Morganza) been to Written Tycoon and thrown a handy horse, and Capitalist, Pride Of Dubai, and Brave Smash.” - Jamie Walter
“She was nice and cheap, but probably that was an appropriate price.”
Tiger Of Malay | Standing at Newgate Farm
Room for improvement in the family
Morganza won a maiden over 2000 metres in France and her daughter Tycoon Bec (Written Tycoon) has won seven races up to 2100 metres with earnings over $322,000. Tycoon Bec went to Fierce Impact for her first season in 2024 but no mare return has been done so the result is unknown.
“It's not a bad family, actually quite stout. The good one that the mare’s thrown by Written Tycoon won up to 2100 metres. And the Capitalist went up to 1500. So, I'd be disappointed if she didn't get a mile,” Walter said.
Who’s Your Papy (Pride Of Dubai) won three times up to a mile, while Royal Rebellion (Capitalist) won at 1200 metres in Brisbane and 1500 metres in the country. Brave Agenda (Brave Smash {Jpn}) has won four times up to a mile.
Who’s Your Papy | Image courtesy of Inglis
Morganza, who died in May 2025, is out of G1 The Oaks-placed Listed winner Mezzogiorno (GB) (Unfuwain {USA}) who produced three stakes winners led by G2 Blandford Stakes winner Monturani (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}).
With an Oaks placegetter in her immediate family, it will be interesting to see how far Apex Predator can stretch her ability when she returns at three.
