The Peter and Paul Snowden stable struck first with promising Snitzel colt Lion's
Head who improved on his debut second at Newcastle two weeks ago to score a
short neck win over 1200 metres as favourite.He settled back in the field and raced greenly up the straight for Winona Costin, but did his best work late to snatch a determined win.
Carrying the colours of China Horse Club, Lion's Head was a $1million Inglis Easter purchase from the Arrowfield draft and runs for a partnership that also includes WinStar Farm.
He is the second winner from US stakes-winner Tara From the Cape (USA), a half-sister to Group III winner Royal Mo.
Arrowfield sold the current yearling from Tara From the Cape, a colt by Redoute's Choice, at Magic Millions this year for $220,000 to Paul Perry and she has a weanling filly by Snitzel to follow.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will no doubt be thinking 'classic season' for exciting Sebring colt Sydney Blue who made up for an unlucky debut fifth when blocked for a run at Newcastle two weeks ago to charge home and win the 1400 metre juvenile maiden.
A touch slow to begin, he quickly mustered speed to improve to midfield and
when angled to the outside at the top of the straight unwound a long sustained
finishing burst to win by a length.It was a performance that had budding stayer written all over it, as it should given he is a half-brother to Group I MRC Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner, a winner of over $3.8 million in prizemoney.
A $420,000 Inglis Easter purchase for his trainers from the Mill Park draft, Sydney Blue runs for a big syndicate of stable clients and is the seventh winner from seven to race from stakes-winner Dane Belltar, whose other offspring also include $1.1 million earning Group II winner Tanby and Group II placed Viking Star.
Mill Park sold the current yearling from Dane Belltar, a filly by Shooting to Win, at Magic Millions this year to Godolphin for $340,000. She has a weanling colt to follow by More Than Ready (USA).
