One To Watch - Pakenham

Mark Smith - Sunday March 3

Few debutants make a stronger statement than the Toronado (IRE) gelding Moby Dick, who put a field of thirteen maidens to the sword over 1200m at Pakenham on Sunday.

Fabulous debut (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Jye McNeil for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Moby Dick launched down the centre of the track to defeat the Toronado (IRE) filly Happy Link by a widening three and three-quarter lengths with the Zoustar filly Zaszou back in third.

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Happy Link went off an odds-on favourite following a luckless third when on debut at Moonee Valley. The Greg Eurell-trained filly had no answer to the blistering finish of Moby Dick.

“It was a great effort. We got into a lovely position, and he relaxed perfectly. Once in clear air, he was fantastic to the line with lots more to give,” McNeil enthused.

“I was a little concerned that when he let down, he quickened so quickly I hit the front and was exposed early down this long straight. But he was very professional, put the race away, and will continue improving.  

Hollywood handsome (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

“The team had him well conditioned for today, and he handled the 1200m comfortably, and I’m sure he will get over more distance in time. He was perfect today.”

A $200,000 buy for MG Price Racing & Breeding from the Sullivan Bloodstock draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Moby Dick is the first foal to race for the unraced Sebring mare Queen Of The Sea, a half-sister to five metropolitan winners from the family of stakes-winner Gold Aura.

Moby Dick a $200,000 Inglis Premier yearling

Lindsey Smith Racing purchased a brother at the Inglis Premier last year for $180,000.

Moby Dick was the second winner for Toronado (IRE) to make a winning debut.

The 4-year-old Clayton Douglas-trained mare Sheeza Toronado made a belated debut over 1000m to make it one-for-one.

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Race Result - Precision Mechanical Services Mdn Plate 1200m

Pakenham Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.46
1
Moby Dick
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x Queen Of The Sea (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $180,000
Seller: Sullivan Bloodstock, Kialla East
Buyer: Lindsey Smith Racing
2
3.8
Happy Link
- 3f Toronado (IRE) x Nothin' On Me (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: G Eurell Rdr: Jamie Kah 56
3
4
Zaszou
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Zasorceress (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Jordan Childs 56
4
6.2
Mixxit
- 3g Sioux Nation (USA) x Mixxer (AUS) (Twining (USA))
Tnr: E Jusufovic Rdr: Luke Cartwright 55
5
6.5
Bravissima
- 3f Deep Field (AUS) x Lipizzan (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 56
6
7.3
Rising Water
- 3c Headwater (AUS) x Spiritriser Bean (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: R Mc Leod 58
7
8.5
Something Forjo
- 3f Impending (AUS) x Forjo (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Lee & Shannon Hope Rdr: Tahlia Hope 56
8
8.7
Five Star King
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x Four Star Princess (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 58
9
8.8
Think Baby
- 3f So You Think (NZ) x Nursery Rhyme (USA) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Carleen Hefel 56
10
12.8
Discobay
- 3f Cable Bay (IRE) x Distraught (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: Adam Hanley Rdr: Ms S Wynne 56
11
16.1
Inked
- 3g Press Statement (AUS) x Indirect (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: R J Besanko Rdr: Logan McNeil 57
12
16.3
Jidder Bug
- 3f Dissident (AUS) x Showy Zoe (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Robert Palm Rdr: Sheridan Clarke 54
13
21
Switchblade
- 3g More Than Ready (USA) x Tree Of Jesse (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Newitt 58
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