First Australian Winner for The Factor

Tara Madgwick - Friday December 1
Newgate Farm's dashing grey shuttler The Factor (USA) opened his account in Australia on Friday with a stylish last to first win at Canberra for promising two year-old The Unknown Factor.

Trained on the track by Gratz Vella, he was second in a barrier trial last month and was well fancied on debut in the 1000 metre maiden.

The FactorA tardy getaway saw the grey gelding settle at the tail of the field for Richard Bensley, who rode him patiently saving ground along the fence.

When a split opened along the rails turning for home, The Unknown Factor accelerated smartly up the fence to win by a length and a half.

"He's always shaped up as though he could do it," said his trainer Gratz Vella, who won the Listed Canberra Black Opal previously in 2011 with You're Canny and will look to repeat the success with this youngster.

"I know he missed the start today, but he looks a real sprinter and we have a full sister to him at home."

Retained to race, The Unknown Factor is the third winner from Mixed Up Miss, who was also trained by Vella and won eight races at Canberra.

Mixed Up Miss comes from the family of Group I winners Mr Celebrity, Prince Salieri and Kiss Me Cait.

The Unknown Factor is the first Australian winner for War Front's dual Group I winning son The Factor, who is the sire of eight stakes-winners in North America highlighted by Group I winner Noted and Quoted.

The Factor has six entries for Magic Millions and 13 for Inglis Classic.


Advertisment
More Reading...
The Factor Breaks The Ice
Former Newgate Farm shuttler The Factor (USA) broke his stakes duck in Australia when the Bjorn Baker-trained Fun Fact led at every call in Saturday’s Group III Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
So You Think Filly Wins G2 Edward Manifold
Danny O’Brien believes he has the Group I VRC Oaks in his sights with So You Think filly Getta Good Feeling breaking her maiden in the best way possible with a last stride win in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Inglis and Yulong Confirm Magic Time for Everest Slot
Inglis will partner with worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong for the running of the 2025 The Everest, with the combination to be represented by Magic Time in the $20m contest.
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Fun Winner for Spendthrift
Newgate Farm’s flashy grey shuttler The Factor (USA) is not coming to the Hunter Valley this spring, but he did feature at Sandown on Wednesday with an impressive winner carrying the Spendthrift Australia colours.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Debut Winner Brings a Newgate Magic Update
Staking a claim for the $2million Inglis Millennium at Warwick Farm on February 9 was the John Sargent trained filly My Fire Phoenix, who scored a stylish debut victory at Canterbury on Friday night.