Exciting young sires Pride of Dubai and Vancouver are on the board for the new season producing smart winners at the Sale meeting on Friday.
The Robbie Griffiths trained Vancouver Lad took the opening race on debut, overcoming an outside gate to post a tenacious short half head win on the heavy going in the 1105m maiden.
Passed in at Magic Millions, three year-old Vancouver Lad is the second winner from stakes-winning King of Danes mare Oridane.
“He’s a beautiful horse and we’ve loved him all the way through,” said Robbie Griffiths.
“We bought another Vancouver at the sales this year o the back of the potential of what this guy has shown us. The Vancouver stock have a great attitude and want to eat and train and be racehorses.”
Later in the day three year-old Pride of Dubai gelding Criminal opened his account with a three length win in the 1611m maiden.
Fit and ready to fire at his third run back from a spell the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained Criminal appreciated the step up in trip to win as he pleased.
A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase for Anthony Freedman Rcg/Blue Sky Bstock (FBAA) from the Coolmore draft, Criminal runs in the Australian Bloodstock colours.
A half-brother to Group III placed Irish Nova, Criminal is the second winner from Group III placed General Nediym mare Count Your Fingers.
With their oldest progeny now three year-olds, Pride of Dubai and Vancouver are both standing at Coolmore this spring at fees of $38,500 and $30,250.
