Phoenix Thoroughbreds homebred, Farnan raced into favouritism for the Gold Coast Magic Million two-year-old classic with victory at Wyong on Thursday.
Carrying the colours of partners Aquis Farm the juvenile took his record to two wins in two starts, running out a tidy winner over the former market leader for January’s race, Every Rose. Following in the hoof prints of his sire Not A Single Doubt, who won the Wyong Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic in the early 2000s the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt was given a perfect ride by Tim Clark to secure victory.
Breaking fast from the barriers the winning pair shot into an early lead before Time For Peace took over setting the fractions. Clark and Farnan sat around half a length off the leader for the majority of the race, travelling strongly, before making a move at the top of the straight. Hitting the font with a nice turn of foot the eventual winner quickly dispatched the long-time pacesetter before Every Rose emerged as a late challenger. Farnan proved to be more than up to the task, pulling out a bit extra to win by just over a length.
“Today, his attitude has won him the race,” said co-trainer Adrian Bott. “His professionalism put him right in the race. He began brilliantly, switched off nicely and travelled beautifully for Tim throughout. When he needed to, when asked, he showed a great turn of foot so, like all those good young horses and good colts, in particular, he’s got a great attitude.
“He’s a lovely physical type, a nice strong individual so that will take him a long way. He’s still got a long way to go before he goes to the gold coast and we’ll see if he needs another run or not, but it was an important one to get out of the way today. I’m sure there’s more to come.”
The win guarantees the colt out of Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ owned mare Tallow a place in the Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic in January.