Makalu displayed plenty of heart and determination to land open his account with victory at Newcastle on Friday (September 16).
The Phoenix Thoroughbreds/Fung Family Investments co-owned runner had shown plenty of promise in his first to starts and graduated to make every single yard in the 1400m maiden under a well-judged ride from Chad Schofield.
The son of Redoute’s Choice left his inside barrier on the “b” of the bang and led the field in the early stages. Although the race mapped as if he would be out in front with being challenged, that was not the case and Schofield had to ask him to work to maintain the advantage. With those early rivals for supremacy seen off, the Annabel Neasham trainee set a good tempo out in front. The three-year-old was by far home and hosed at the turn with plenty of his opponents travelling well in behind, but Makalu stole a couple of lengths at the top of the straight. That proved to be the winning move as he battled home in front without some late challengers able to get to him.
Schofield told connections post-race he would expect plenty more to come from the colt with him still “a little lost” when out in the lead close home.