Phoenix Thoroughbreds enjoyed a successful Saturday in Australia with eye-catching results across Royal Randwick and Flemington.
The run of successes was led by homebred sensation Farnan. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt making all to impressively win the Todman Stakes at Royal Randwick. A product of the mating between the Dubai-based owner’s mare Tallow and Not A Single Doubt the two-year-old landed his second Group Two victory on the bounce. It also marked a fourth win in five starts for the horse raced in partnership with Aquis Farm.
Hugh Bowman maintained his partnership with the juvenile after guiding him to success last time out and soon had the exciting sprinter in the lead. Able to dictate the fractions the travelled comfortably in front until the home straight. With a couple of furlongs to go Bowman asked his mount to go and win the race which Farnan did with plenty to spare.
The victory was impressive enough for bookmakers to make the colt favourite for the Golden Slipper.
“He is certainly the right colt to take us there and exciting for everyone involved,” said a delighted Adrian Bott. “You saw today he was able to put two strong, dominant performances together. He’s showed his true professionalism today and his great asset, he’s got that great barrier speed, that great tactical speed and certainly sustained a strong tempo throughout.”
“He’s gone to a new level since that little freshen up and he has come back more mature and strengthened up physically.”
Hugh Bowman was equally impressed with his race partner and will be on board again as the jockey chases his first win in the World’s richest two-year-old race.
“He looks after himself, he doesn’t spend energy unnecessarily,” said the rider. “That’s the key to a top-class young horse,”
“I believe he has pulled up better today than he did the other day. He’s a nice horse, he’s going well and he will be hard to beat.”
Later in the day Loving Gaby added another Group One placed effort to her CV running second to Bivouac in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. A winner at the top level in her own right she has now hit the places three times in Group One company.
Craig Williams was again the man to pilot the filly and had her in mid-field in the early stages. Travelling in her customary strong way she moved nicely into the race to challenge at halfway. One of the last of the field off the bridle she quicken well but Bivouac just showed a little more late speed to get the win.
“We’re very proud and it’s a nother solid effort,” said co-trainer Ciaron Maher. “Thats her third Group One placing which is a little frustrating but she’s running in the highest quality sprint races. She seemed to pull up really well, no excuse and the oher horse was better on the day.”
Maher also added Loving Gaby is likely to have her next run at Moonee Valley, the track where she won her Group One, to challenge for the William Reid Stakes.
The big performances didn’t stop there either with Reloaded, who Phoenix co-own with a group of high profile owners, running a superb race from a tricky draw in the Group One Randwick Guineas.
The Chriss Waller trainee had shown great improvement in his last run in the Hobartville Stakes and built on that nicely under James McDonald. Berthed out wide McDonald had no option but to roust his mount into an early lead to grab the rail. There he stayed until inside the final furlong where despite fighting hard, was swamped late on to finish a close-up fourth.