Shooting To Win's Squid Game Makes Winning Debut

Mark Smith - Wednesday November 24

The Price Bloodstock colour-bearer Squid Game made the best possible start to his career over 1200m at Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday.

With Michael Dee in the saddle for trainer Patrick Payne, the 3yo son of Shooting To Win was given an aggressive ride from an outside barrier.

An exciting debut by the good-looking Squid Game (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Travelling sweetly on the outside of the leader Treporti, Squid Game finished strongly to defeat the $6000,000 I Am Invincible gelding Treporti by a length and a quarter with the Deep Field colt Masterful a length back in third.  

Advertisement

"It was just a matter of how he began, and he really jumped and spun in to the bridle," Dee said.

"He worked across very comfortably, and basically he did the rest. He travelled well for me in to the straight and was able to give a really nice kick and I felt we were really comfortable on the line.

"He will learn a lot from today. He has the talent there. I thought that if we were challenged, he would have fought.

"He has had a few trials and has progressed each time. He came here in tip-top shape and was ready to go."

The bold striding Squid Game was a $150,000 purchase by his trainer from the Inglewood Stud draft at the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale Book 1.

He is the second winner from as many to race out of the Keeper mare Macavity, a half-sister to Group 1 winner Velocitea (Volksraad), Listed winner Weaponry (Declaration of War), and the stakes-placed Maastricht (Mastercraftsman).

Squid Game a $150,000 Karaka yearling

The dam of dual Group 1 winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible), Maastricht was purchased by Coolmore for $2,250,000 when offered by Newgate Farm on behalf of owners Alan Bell and Ananda Krishnan at the Inglis Chairman's Sale.

She was carrying a full sister to Loving Gaby, which made $1.2 million to the bid of Ciaron Maher Bloodstock/Next Level Syndication at the Gold Coast earlier this year.

Maastricht has a colt by Triple Crown hero Justify (USA) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale in January.

Macavity has a yearling colt by Time Test (GB) and was covered by US Navy Flag (USA) last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Ive > Print Mdn Plate 1200m

Sandown-Lakeside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:11.24
1
Squid Game
- 3g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Macavity (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: M J Dee 58
2
1.3
Treporti
- 3g I Am Invincible (AUS) x I'm In Love (USA) (Zafonic (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 58
3
2.3
Masterful
- 3c Deep Field (AUS) x Riddling (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Julius Sandhu Rdr: D Oliver 58
4
4.5
Only Human
- 3g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Carousing (AUS) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: Brian McGrath Rdr: Teodore Nugent 58
5
4.6
Surcote
- 3g Exosphere (AUS) x Save A Penny (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Craig Williams 58
6
6.8
Ebony King
- 3c Lonhro (AUS) x Maiya Nova (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: B Mc Dougall 58
7
6.9
Klatten
- 4m Rich Enuff (AUS) x Germayne Lass (AUS) (Stromberg Carlson (AUS))
Tnr: K & K Keys Rdr: L Currie 57.5
8
7.1
Cop That
- 6g Danerich (AUS) x Nenagh (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: M Farrugia Rdr: Campbell Rawiller 59.5
9
7.9
The Black Panther
- 5g Better Than Ready (AUS) x Von Krum (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: N J Harnett Rdr: Patrick Moloney 59.5
10
13.4
O'Magic
- 4g O'Lonhro (AUS) x Miracle Magic (AUS) (Dash For Cash (AUS))
Tnr: Anthony Cranston Rdr: Jacques Luxe 59.5
More Reading...
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a five winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
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.
Shooting To Win's Squid Game Remains Unbeaten
Quickly building a cult following, Squid Game kept his record at a perfect two for two following a last to first performance in Saturday's Lexus Holiday Plate (1200m) at Flemington.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.