Expensive Deep Field colt Mars Mission is a work in progress, but showed the benefit of a lengthy spell when resuming to win at Warwick Farm on Australia Day.
Trained by Team Hawkes, Mars Mission was third on debut last August at Sandown and was then sent to the paddock.
Given a good grounding with two recent trials, Mars Mission went to the post as favourite for the 1100m maiden and surged home to win by three-quarters of a length for Tommy Berry.
“He’s a nice colt on the improve and has bigger fish to fry,” said Michael Hawkes.
An $800,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Attunga Stud draft for Alan Bell, who raced his sire Deep Field, Mars Mission runs for a partnership headed by Bell that also includes Vinery Stud and the colt’s breeders.
Mars Mission is a three-quarter brother to Group III winner Sun City and half-brother to stakes-winner Parlophone and stakes-placed Spin.
He is the fifth winner from five foals to race from stakes-winning Flying Spur mare Roulettes.
Roulettes was one of 163 mares covered last spring at Newgate Farm by Deep Field at a fee of $88,000.
