Not long after Baramul Stud put Saturday's Listed Oaklands Stakes winner Unfair Dismissal through the ring at the 2017 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, the famous Widden Valley nursery led up a colt from the final crop of High Chaparral (IRE).
However, there was not much interest in the colt who was knocked down to Ciaron Maher Racing for $50,000.
Named Visao, he earned that back with interest following a decisive win in Saturday's $120,000 Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington.
The 2yo colt was coming off an impressive maiden win at Mildura at just his second start.
With Damian Lane in the saddle, Visao settled midfield as Struycken and Fun Fact set honest fractions up front.
Eased out into clear air around the home turn, Visao let down impressively to defeat Lindsay Park's Pierro gelding Nero Chin Chin by one and three-quarter lengths with the Zacinto (GB) filly Necessitas the same distance back in third. (photo Grant Courtney).
Stable representative David Eustice said the big group of owners are already looking to the classics in the spring.
"Ciaron picked him out for a relatively cheap $50,000 at the Magic Millions as he is a half to a horse in the stable (Reserve Street) that was showing a bit of promise," Eustice said.
"He's not a big horse but he is quite mature. He is relatively set now, he is putting weight on in the right areas and his win at Mildura showed he was on an upward curve.
The Byerley winner is exempt for the ballot for the Group 1 Victoria Derby in the spring and that is the likely course for Visao.
"We can dare to dream. He will have a little let-up and look toward the race," Eustice said
"He doesn't look to have loads of scope but for a small horse he has got a great action."
Yet another descendant of the famed Denise's Joy, Visao is the fourth foal and third winner out of the Randwick winning Encosta de Lago mare Villa Moura who is a half-sister to Listed Wagga Wagga Gold Cup winner Landlocked (Zabeel) and to the dam of Macau Guineas winner Gold Alloy (Testa Rossa).
Villa Moura's dam Secover (Danehill) is a half-sister to Group II winner Light Up The World (Rory's Jester) and to the dams of triple Group 1 winner Bentley Biscuit (Pentre Celebre) and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap winner and top-class stallion Thorn Park (Spinning World).
After slipping to Sepoy in 2015 and to Lonhro in 2016, Villa Moura was one of 158 mares covered by Triple Crown hero American Pharoah last year.
