Trainer Mick Price likely has a lot to look forward to after recording an interstate group race double on Saturday with a pair of promising horses. Two hours after the 2-year-old filly Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) staked her G1 Golden Slipper claims with a win in Randwick's G2 Sweet Embrace S., progressive 3-year-old colt Grunt (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) scored his maiden Group 1 in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington.
Damien Oliver took Grunt back to settle about six lengths off an early speed tussle in the Guineas that eventually went the way of the favoured Cliff's Edge (Aus) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}), who proceeded to set a fast clip. Cliff's Edge appeared to have plenty in the tank while turning for home three lengths clear under John Allen, but he was soon being chased down by Grunt three paths off the fence and Peaceful State (Aus) (Animal Kingdom) at his shoulder. The runner-up gave a valiant challenge, but Grunt was tenacious in getting to the line a half-length in front.
Grunt, a NZ$220,000 Karaka yearling, snuck in one start at the back end of his 2-year-old season, finishing third behind the eventual G1 Thousand Guineas winner Aloisia (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) over this course on May 20. Given an extended holiday, he was back to break his maiden first-up at three at Werribee on Dec. 10. He followed up with a strong win at benchmark 64 level going a mile at Morphettville on Dec. 26, and kicked the autumn off on a winning note in the G3 CS Hayes S. on his black-type debut here on Feb. 17.
Trainer Mick Price was not masking his confidence in the colt post-race, telling Racing.com, “Hopefully he's a Cox Plate horse that can get around Moonee Valley or maybe a Caulfield Cup horse.”
Price indicated that he could campaign the bay lightly up to such targets.
“The only race I'd go forward to [this season] is the Rosehill Guineas over 2000 metres, but I am mindful that he's going to be a really, really good 4-year-old and it wouldn't worry if I had to put him out,” he added.
Pedigree Notes…
Grunt has a stallion's pedigree to match his Group 1-winning race record, his dam Ruqqaya being a half-sister to champion Ocean Park (NZ) (Thorn Park {Aus}), the winner of five Group 1s including a Cox Plate. Grunt is a half to the three-time winner and listed-placed Addison (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}). Ruqqaya has an as-yet unnamed 2-year-old full-brother to Grunt, and a yearling filly by Savabeel (Aus). Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree.
Saturday, Flemington, Australia
AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS-G1, A$1,005,000, VRC, 3yo, Open Set Weight, 1600mT, 1:34.99, Good.
1–GRUNT (NZ), 56.5, c, 3, by O'Reilly (NZ)
1st Dam: Ruqqaya (NZ), by Van Nistelrooy (USA)
2nd Dam: Sayyida (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ)
3rd Dam: Eastern Princess (NZ), by Pompeii Court (USA)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (NZ$220,000 Ylg 2016 NZB National
Yearling Sale) O-R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: R P
Legh), Wright Racing Syndicate (Mgr: P J Wright), Gurners
Bloodstock Co Syndicate (Mgr: M A Ramsden), R Smith, G
Pulitano, S Tsalikidi; B-Trelawney Thoroughbred Ltd, Waikato,
NZ; T-M G Price; J-D Oliver; A$605,000. Lifetime Record:
5-4-0-1, A$737,250. *1/2 to Addison (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}),
SP-Aus, A$102,700. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Peaceful State, 56.5, c, 3, Animal Kingdom–Weekend Beauty,
by Helissio (FR). O-K Yoshida; B-Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd NSW;
T-D K Weir; J-B Rawiller; A$180,000.
3–Bring Me Roses, 54.5, f, 3, High Chaparral (IRE)–Freckled
Face, by Polish Patriot (USA). O-Clairden Racing (Mgr: Dr D J
O'Brien); B-Dr DJ O'Brien QLD; T-Tony McEvoy; J-L Currie;
A$90,000.
Margins: 0.5 len, 2.0 len, 3.5 len. Odds: 4.50, 7.50, 20.00.
Also Ran: Villermont, Holy Snow, Muraaqeb, Cliff's Edge, Embellish (NZ), Salsamor (NZ), Main Stage (NZ), Addictive Nature, Black Sail (NZ), Aloisia (NZ), Mighty Boss, Mr So and So, Levendi.
Click for the Racing Post result.
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