Few debuts come more impressive than Gallant Son’s tour de force in the Max Blakiston / Ian Rees Maiden Plate (1100m) at Sale on Wednesday.
Ridden by Luke Nolen for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the 2-year-old son of Written Tycoon jumped smartly to race outside of the leader, Miss Cotoletta.
When asked for an effort on straightening, the response was instantaneous and Gallant Son drew six lengths clear of the $1,100,000 Zoustar filly Crime Of Passion with the Yes Yes Yes filly Flattered back in third.
“He stepped prominently, but from what he has done at home, I did not think he would be that close,” Nolen said.
“I came here thinking he would be hard to beat, but the way he went about it, I might have to reevaluate him.
“He continues to improve and is a nice mover, so he will probably be better on top of the ground. He has it all in front of him.
“He has a beautiful nature, a bit like his mum, who I had a bit to do with. She was a Group 1 winner for Meech (Linda Meech), and this bloke has a lot of her traits.”
Gallant Son carries the tartan and red colours of his breeder, the Esplin Family, who had a high opinion of the son of Written Tycoon from the start as Vinery Stud consigned him to the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter with a $500,000 reserve.
Gallant Son is the second winner from three to race for the 2015 Group 1 ATC Coolmore Classic winner Plucky Belle.
The daughter of Mossman is out of the top-class Zabeel mare Winning Belle, whose four stakes wins were highlighted by the Group II QTC Queensland Guineas and placed in the Queensland Oaks, Australian Cup, and Chipping Norton Stakes.
Plucky Belle has a weanling colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) and was covered by Brave Smash (JPN) last spring.
Gallant Son is the 14th Australian 2yo winner of the season (plus four in NZ) for Yulong Stud’s Written Tycoon, who is on track to claim the notable feat of the Champion 2-year-old sires’ titles in Australia and New Zealand.
