Trapeze Artist Colt Wins $150,000 Aquis Gold Nugget

Tara Madgwick - Saturday January 6

The highest-priced Trapeze Artist yearling in 2023, Spywire was a $520,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock/Group 1 Bloodstock from the Widden draft at Magic Millions last year and he will start amongst the top chances in next week’s $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic after a cavalier win in the $150,000 Aquis Gold Nugget (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Spywire was an impressive debut winner at Rosehill on November 15 before finishing second to Highness in the Wyong MM 2YO when he appeared to switch off late and was run down.

There was no switching off this time, with Craig Williams keeping Spywire up to the task from the jump. He strode to the lead and controlled the race, seeing off some potential challengers turning for home and then cruising to the line to win as he pleased over last start stakes-winner Beau Dazzler, who heads next to New Zealand for the Karaka Million.

Ciaron Maher was originally going to trial Spywire at the Gold Coast earlier this week, but the weather forced him to go to Plan B with the option of racing in the Nugget seen as the perfect lead up for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, which he has won twice previously with top class fillies Away Game and Coolangatta.

“He can be a fresh horse and I thought having the race seven days out would help him and especially going to the 1200m,” said Maher, who won the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas last spring with another Trapeze Artist colt in Griff.

“With today’s run under his belt he should be spot on.

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“He’s a beautiful horse and by Trapeze Artist..  we’ve had a fair bit of luck with them this season and hopefully this boy is the next one.”

Spywire was the highest priced yearling from the second crop of Trapeze Artist.

Bred by Widden in partnership with Robert Anderson, Spywire is the second winner from three to race for the stakes-winning Denman mare Secret Trail, a $700,000 purchase for RMA Bloodstock from the Yarraman Park Stud draft at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale.

Out of a half-sister to Group I winner Gold Trail, Secret Trail has a yearling filly by Zoustar and was covered by Anamoe last spring.

Trapeze Artist has 21 entries for Magic Millions.

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Race Result - Aquis Gold Nugget 1100m

Gold Coast Track: Good(4) Time: 1:03.28
1
Spywire
- 2c Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Secret Trail (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Craig Williams 56
2
2.3
Beau Dazzler
- 2c Ardrossan (AUS) x Pwerfect (AUS) (Pentire (GB))
Tnr: Tony & Maddysen Sears Rdr: R Dolan 58
NZB Karaka Book 1 $100,000
Seller: Elsdon Park
Buyer: Benner Racing Ltd
3
4.8
Defiant Boom
- 2c Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Defiant Dame (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S W Kendrick Rdr: M Rodd 56
4
7.8
Cosmic Fire
- 2g Cosmic Force (AUS) x Exellas (AUS) (Helmet (AUS))
Tnr: Billy Healey Rdr: Angela Jones 56
5
11.3
Balastier
- 2c Brazen Beau (AUS) x See Me Exceed (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: James Orman 56
6
12.3
Mishani Burn
- 2g Jet Spur (AUS) x Mishani Believer (AUS) (Poet's Voice (GB))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: Ben Thompson 56
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