Golden Rose Goal for Fastnet 3YO’s

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 2
Champion sire Fastnet Rock had a great crop of two year-olds last season and that success has quickly translated into serious spring aspirations with exciting Group wins on Saturday for Formality in Sydney and unbeaten Merchant Navy in Melbourne.

Trained by the Hayes / Dabernig partnership, Formality (pictured Steve Hart) was brilliant in winning the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes at her first run back from a spell and was able to repeat that performance with another tenacious victory in the Group II ATC Furious Stakes over 1200 metres at Randwick.



Formality was always up on the pace for Kerrin McEvoy and refused to surrender in a tight finish to claim a half head win over Champagne Cuddles.

Formality as a yearlingFormality was a modest $120,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft by Inglis as agent and runs for Coolmore and partners for whom she has won four of seven starts earning $585,200.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes was impressed with the win, but doubted Coolmore Stud would open their slot for the $10 million Everest to Formality on the strength of her last two victories.

"She's probably not dominating her races. It's up to them but the Golden Rose looks a very suitable race," Hayes said.

"That's the number one plan and I'd say we'll go there."

Bred by Dr K Tan and foaled and raised at Coolmore, Formality is the best of four winners from four foals to race from 2009 Singapore Horse of the Year, Jolie's Shinju (Jpn), a daughter of the Halo sire Jolie's Halo.

Given her pedigree and courage at the finish, Hayes believes the step up to 1400m in the Golden Rose will not be an issue.

"I wouldn't say she was weakening at the end of that race. She was strong, I think 1400 will suit her," he said.

"She's got plenty of improvement in her. Her coat's still falling out as you can see."

Formality's dam Jolie's Shinju is due to foal to Choisir.

Exciting Ciaron Maher trained colt Merchant Navy (pictured Grant Courtney) quickly made it a Group double for Fastnet Rock when he powered home from back in the field to win the Group III MRC HDF McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.

The colt maintained his unbeaten status at his first run of the spring, surging home for Mark Zahra to win the 1200 metre sprint by a head taking his overall record to four wins with prizemoney just shy of $200,000.



"He's a very exciting colt and you just love to see them resume like that," Maher said.

"He'd furnished during the break and put the writing on the wall with his trials and the team has done a great job to get him here today."

Group I goals are on the agenda for the royally bred colt, who runs for a partnership that includes Coolmore.

"He was nice and relaxed today which is a great sign for the future as he was quite a raw colt and wanted to get on with it a little bit as a two-year-old," Maher said

"Now he's furnished into a more rounded racehorse and stretching out over the longer trips he looks as though he will relax really well.

Merchant Navy as a yearling"He actually raced like a horse looking for a trip today he was so relaxed. He's a pretty casual bugger, really good set of lungs and he's really well bred.

"He'll go to the Golden Rose next in three weeks then back here for the Caulfield Guineas."

A $350,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft for Ciaron Maher Racing, Merchant Navy is a full brother to Group II winner Jolie Bay and stakes-placed Zara Bay.

Bred by Chris Barham and foaled and raised at Segenhoe, Merchant Navy is one of six winners from the good producing Snippets Group III winner Legally Bay, a half-sister to Group I winner Bonaria.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Godolphin Make Their Move
The first two days at Magic Millions were without a Godolphin purchase, but they moved swiftly in the first hour of trade on Friday to secure two fillies by Fastnet Rock and Snitzel for $600,000 each.
$400,000 Karaka Ready to Run Purchase May Be Next Star for Castelvecchio
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Exclusive opportunity to purchase nomination in Too Darn Hot
Exciting racing and breeding prospects – plus a nomination in Champion First and Second Season Sire Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) – headline a diverse catalogue of 302 lots for the Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 22
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Mare Asfoora Triumphs in G1 York Nunthorpe
Victorians breeders celebrated overnight with Aussie bred and owned Flying Artie mare Asfoora returning to her dazzling best to win the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York  with a scintillating performance.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.