Golden Eagle on the Radar for Ayrton

Mark Smith - Saturday June 12

Connections were relieved when the one-time Stradbroke Handicap favourite Ayrton opened his stakes account in Saturday’s Group III Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm and they now have the $7,500,000 Golden Eagle in their sights.

Given a sweet ride by James McDonald, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained son of Iffraaj (GB) came clear in the closing stages to defeat the Spill The Beans colt Ellsberg by two and three-quarter lengths with another son of Spill The Beans, Mobster, a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Advertisement

Ayrton arrived in Brisbane with a huge reputation and an undefeated record in three starts in Melbourne. He lost some lustre when beaten by Apache Chase in the Fred Best Classic, which he needed to win to earn a start in the Stradbroke.

‘The race that I would like to put a circle around that would give the best return to the owners is the Golden Eagle,” Mick Price said.

“That is to be discussed and we will have a think about it.

Ayrton (image Grant Courtney)

The Golden Eagle is run over 1500m at Rosehill on October 30, which Price believes is in his distance range.

“Anywhere from between a mile and 2000m. Further than that I am not sure. He has a good set of lungs and a turn of foot for a mile.

“In this mile race here, we saw him travel strongly because he doesn’t quite get it yet, but he is getting there and I think a mile is beautiful."

Ayrton as a yearling

 Bred by Greg McCarthy and sent to Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan, Ayrton caught the eye of bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo in a barrier trial. Purchased by clients of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Ayrton carries the increasingly familiar colours of Roll The Dice Racing.

Passed in shy of his $40,000 reserve at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Ayrton is the second winner from as many to race out of the unraced Falkirk mare Odessa.

A half-sister to the Group III Eulogy Stakes winner Monterey Bay, Odessa died in 2019. Her final foal is a 2yo colt by Sweynesse.  

Advertisment

Race Result - James Squire Gunsynd Classic Gr3 1600m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:34.95
1
Ayrton
- 3g Iffraaj (GB) x Odessa (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
2.8
Ellsberg
- 3c Spill The Beans (AUS) x Love Of Liberty (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Tim Clark 57
Spill The Beans
3
4.6
Mob Buster
- 3g Spill The Beans (AUS) x Tycoon's Heart (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Melissa Taylor Rdr: James Orman 57
Spill The Beans
4
5.0
Glitter Strip
- 3f Street Boss (USA) x Monopole (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ben Thompson 55
5
6.7
Starosa
- 3f Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Sardaaj (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
6
7.5
Without Thinking
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Strobic (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: J G Symons & S Laxon Rdr: M Hellyer 57
7
8.0
Easy Campese
- 3g Sidestep (AUS) x Up And Over (AUS) (Oratorio (IRE))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: Tommy Berry 57
8
8.3
Magic Conqueror
- 3c Love Conquers All (AUS) x Plain Magic (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: L V Cassidy 57
9
9.3
Dune Forty Five
- 3g Americain (USA) x Candice (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: Tony Haydon Rdr: R Fradd 57
10
11.0
Puntura
- 3g Vespa (NZ) x Mumzahoney (NZ) (Magic Of Sydney (AUS))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: S T Collett 57
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Kiwi Bred Ayrton Wins Listed John Dillon Stakes
Ayrton added even more shine to his outstanding record at Caulfield with a thrilling win in a photo finish to Friday’s A$175,000 Listed Evergreen Turf John Dillon Stakes (1400m).
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.