A great start to the day at Ipswich for the trainer Tony Gollan with the 2yo Nicconi filly Nicci’s Spirit breaking her maiden over 1350 metres before the progressive Tavistock colt Knight Mariner continued on his winning way in the Sirromet Hcp (1690m).
The stable would have an obvious affection for Nicci’s Spirit whose dam is a half-sister to the Group 1 winners Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom but we like the upward trajectory of Knight Mariner who is likely to have a shot at stakes glory sooner than later.
In fact, it may come as soon as next start with the Group III Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 11 following his neck victory over Rebel Rock (Rothesay) with Class Of Royalty (Top Echelon) a neck back in third.
Carrying the colours of Brian Siemen's Black Soil Thoroughbreds, Knight Mariner was a last start maiden winner over 1350m at Doomben.
He was purchased by John Foote Bloodstock/Tony Gollan Racing for $240,000 out of the Riverrock Farm draft at the 2018 NZB Ready To Run Sale of 2YOs.
The son of Tavistock is the first foal of the winning O’Reilly mare Soltina who is a half-sister to the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner Captivate (Stravinsky).
It is a pedigree that is top-heavy with winners at the highest level, which descend from the top-class Sobig mare Soliloquy, the dam of four stakes-winners including the triple Group 1 winner Solveig and the Listed winner Quibble who is the dam of the Group 1 Sydney Cup winner Cross Swords.
John Foote went back to the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale to purchase Haunui Farm’s Iffraaj half-sister to Knight Mariner for $80,0000.
