Coolmore Stud's one-season shuttler Mendelssohn (USA) is off the mark in Australia with Felix The Scat, a facile winner of the Tattersall's Life Members Hcp (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Ridden by Mark Du Plessis for Peter and Will Hulbert, Felix The Scat came from well back early to win by a widening four-and-a-quarter length from the Defcon filly Crimson Warning with the Kobayashi filly Mishani Mystique a long-neck back in third.
It was the third start for Felix The Scat, who debuted with a fifth in the Pat O'Shea (1000m) at Toowoomba before a third behind the talented Mishani Renegade over 1000m at Eagle Farm last October.
Will Hubert has big ambitions for the strapping son of Mendelssohn (USA), which include a shot at the Victoria Derby.
"At the end of this colt's last preparation, I said to the owners to be patient and trust me because I think we will be having a look at the Victoria Derby," Hulbert told Racenet.
"I got that sort of idea from riding him at trackwork; this horse doesn't even know what he is doing yet.
"He has no early speed; it takes him 200m in his races until he gets going.
"I don't think you will see the best of him until he gets to 2000m.
Mark Du Plessis believes the colt is untapped.
"You only have to look at him to see he already looks like a three-year-old. He moves like one, and he thinks and races like one," Du Plessis said.
"He's pretty laid back; hence the blinkers went on today."
Mendelssohn (USA) (image Coolmore Stud)
The homebred is the first winner from three to race from the Fairway Thoroughbreds-bred Smart Missile mare, Miss Pocket Rocket.
A $140,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase for Gai Waterhouse, Miss Pocket Rocket did not see a racetrack again after a debut 13th over 1000m at Hawkesbury.
Her dam Petrushka is the daughter of the stakes-winner Irongail (Canny Lad), a half-sister to multiple Group III winner Walking And Dancing, Group 1 ATC Champagne Stakes runner-up Aim For Gold, and Godolphin's exceptional broodmare Youthful Presence.
Youthful Presence is the dam of four stakes-winners headed by the Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap winner Hauraki and Group 1 SAJC South Australian Derby hero Kidnapped.
