VRC Sires Produce Stakes Goal for Foxwedge Colt

Mark Smith - Friday February 2

Backed as if unbeatable in Friday night's Salsas Chip Burrito Plate at Moonee Valley, the Tony McEvoy-trained Sanctimonious caused some concern when he over-raced in the early stages and looked to be a handful for Craig Williams.

The champion jockey let the strapping son of Foxwedge have his head forcing him three wide for the latter part of the race but Sanctimonious didn't shirk his task in the drive to the line.

Advertisement

A luckless fifth in the Inglis Nursery after a solid debut second at Sandown at his career debut, Sanctimonious gave nothing else a chance here, finishing one and a quarter length to the good of the Helmet filly Metronome with Dream Ahead (USA) colt Firstclass Dreamer three lengths back in third.


"He's a raw horse with really nice ability, very solid and I really like him, Williams said.

"I rode him through the line because I know they have a Sire's (Produce) plan with the horse."

McEvoy said there was plenty to still to come from Sanctimonious.

"The margin wasn't great but he's still learning, and I really commend Craig Williams for his ride there," McEvoy said.

"He was back, the horse wasn't enjoying the pace, so Craig trusted him.

"We discussed before the race he is a big galloping horse. To a lot of purists, it wouldn't have looked a beautiful ride, but it was the right ride for the horse tonight. He will take great benefit from the run.

"Early doors he just didn't look a Blue Diamond style of horse to me. "But a VRC Sires Produce, he'll love Flemington, he'll love the 1400 metres.

"He will go to a 1300 metre at Sandown now then on to the Sires."

A $90,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing from the Glastonbury Farms draft at the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Sanctimonious (pictured as a yearling)   is the third foal of the Elusive Quality mare Off The Canvas who is a daughter of the Group 1 AJC Champagne Stakes heroine Euphoria (Marauding).

Tony McEvoy signed the ticket for $180,000 for the fourth foal of the Off The Canvas at the recent Magic Millions Yearling sale, a filly from the first crop of Wandjina.

Off The Canvas was covered by Headwater last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One To Watch – Randwick
After impressing on debut, the Chris Waller trained 3yo Super Seth filly Frosty Girl (NZ) took on the older mares on the Kensington track, remaining unbeaten with another stylish victory to become Breednet’s One To Watch.
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
Tassort Filly Too Classy at Randwick
Stakes-placed two starts back in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone, talented 2YO Tassort filly Wollzeile proved too classy at Randwick on Wednesday.
Hong Kong Buyer Secures Top Lot June (Late) Sale at $500,000
The impact of the recent success in Hong Kong of horses sourced on Inglis Digital was in evidence today, with the top lot and the third top lot bought by Hong Kong-based owners.
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
Coles Bows Out After 60 Years
Pukekohe’s Wednesday meeting marked the end of an era for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, as Ross Coles, a treasured figure in the industry, retired after 60 years as Clerk of the Course.
Blueblood Filly a Third Winner for Tagaloa
Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Tagaloa is one of the more affordable sires on the Yulong roster and he sired his third winner at Bendigo on Thursday when well bred filly Teine Aulelia made a winning debut.
Kaha Nui Swoop on Pinhook Prospects
Successful pinhookers Kaha Nui Farm were to the fore at Karaka on Thursday, and were rewarded with the crown of leading buyer at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale.
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Tops NZB Weanling Sale
Little Avondale stallion Per Incanto’s outstanding season carried on in the Karaka sale ring on Thursday, where his weanling colt fetched a sale-topping $190,000 in the opening hour of the NZB National Weanling Sale.