Phoenix Thoroughbred’s partnership with Aquis Farm enjoyed a very fruitful March with the two emerging forces in Global racing teaming up to send out a Group-class winner on every Saturday of the month.
It would appear the future would look very bright too for the ownership team given all four of those winners are juvenile colts.
Farnan kicked off the four-timer with success on in the Todman Stakes on the opening weekend of the month, before two weeks later going on to claim the Group One Golden Slipper. Sandwiched between those two victories, Prague won the Pago Pago Stakes while Holyfield completed the sequence with success in the Schweppervesence just this past weekend.
That victory for the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace trainee could now see Holyfield press-on to he Champagne Stakes following what was an impressive front running display under the man of the moment Tom Marquand. Breaking well from the barriers the British rider soon had the I Am Invincible colt out in the lead. With his mount travelling well and setting a nice tempo Marquand decided to kick for home off the final bend. Holyfield responded well and when rival Untamed, came to challenge, he found even more in the tank to win by around a length.
“As soon as the other horse joined him in the last 250 to 300 metres he battled the whole way to the line,” Marquand said post-race. “There was never a moment’s doubt.”
A winner of his first two starts Holyfield looks like he is developing into a very exciting colt and co-trainer Ciaron Maher is keen to test him at Group One level confirming the Champagne will now be the target.
“He travelled back up to Sydney where he’s spent most of his career and together with a good ride from Tom Marquand he is building a nice record,” Maher said. “If he can knock off a big one he is a very valuable colt.”
With Holyfield likely to line-up in the Champagne Stakes, Prague scheduled to take his chance in the ATC Sire Produce and Farnan already a Golden Slipper winner the Phoenix/Aquis combination has a real chance of landing a stunning juvenile ‘Triple Crown.’