Altius took the first step to a spring campaign with a command performance in the H & B Cooper Glenrock Hcp (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The regally bred Redoute’s Choice colt was racing first-up for Chris Waller after previous campaigns with Tony Vasil in Melbourne. “Tony educated him perfectly,” Waller volunteered. “He’s a welcome addition and is nominated for all the big spring races.”
Altius (3c Redoute’s Choice – Circles Of Gold by Marscay) won the 2010 Elvstroem Classic (1300m) at Swan Hill on debut in a race named after his three-quarter brother.
He resumed after a short break to win again at Geelong but a Victoria Derby preparation petered out after a black-type placing in the LR Henry Bucks Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. “He’s a real staying type,” Vasil predicted. “There’s a lot of improvement left in him.”
Altius is the sixth winner for Circles Of Gold following Haradasun (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Elvstroem (Danehill). They both began with Swan Hill wins before launching international careers at the races and at stud.
Even though Altius has left his Caulfield stables, the colt still brings back wonderful memories for Vasil and owner-breeders Frank Tagg, Garry Moffitt and Frank Meduri.
“Elvstroem started an amazing ride for us,” Vasil stated. “He changed our lives. And then Haradasun came along and we went on another glory ride.”
Elvstroem (Danehill) was a G1 winner of the Victoria Derby and Caulfield Cup before travelling overseas to win the G1 Dubai Duty Free. He was also G1 placed in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp and is now based at Blue Gum Farm.
Haradasun (Fusaichi Pegasus) picked up the baton and ran to G1 wins in the STC George Ryder Stakes and AJC Doncaster and also performed on the international stage when a G1 winner of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. He stands at Coolmore.
Circles Of Gold has a rising three year-old named Kimurasun (Fusaichi Pegasus) with Gai Waterhouse. The mare foaled a Tale of the Cat colt last year.
Altius began a memorable final city meeting of the season for Waller. The gelding was the first leg of a winning four-timer for the Rosehill trainer who claimed his first Sydney trainers’ premiership this season.
“The owners live in Sydney and I think they were looking forward to getting him up here so they could see him race,” Waller told AAP at Rosehill. “He’s a serious horse and I’m sure if he can keep progressing we can win some nice races.”
Besides Altius (Redoute’s Choice), the Waller winners were Mikiyama (Yamanin Vital), Brayroan (Zabeel) and Foreteller (Dansili) who motored home in the $1000,000 Winter Challenge.