Phoenix Celebrates First Oz Winner

Amer Abdulaziz | Benoit Photo

Phoenix Thoroughbreds gained its first Australian winner on Sunday at the Sunshine Coast, when Hard As (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) romped by 7 1/2 lengths in a 1200-metre maiden plate, the first race on the card. The brainchild of Amer Abdulaziz (click here for an interview by Kelsey Riley), Phoenix Thoroughbreds has already made headlines with bloodstock agent Kerri Radcliffe snapping up high-priced lots at the sales on both sides of the Atlantic and enjoyed Grade I success with Dream Tree (Scat Daddy) in the United States. Caught in between horses shortly after the bell, the David Vandyke charge dropped back to sit in an eager third, but improved until directly on the heels of the leaders leaving the bend. Switched to the outside, he let down impressively and cantered home an easy winner over Mulga Thumper (Aus) (Golden Archer {Aus}). The time was 1:14.75. Hard As, a A$210,000 Inglis Easter yearling purchase, won a 1000-metre Doomben barrier trial by 2 1/2 lengths on Feb. 6.

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