Vinery graduate Farnan received a ballot-free entry into the Golden Slipper Stakes with an effortless victory in Saturday’s Silver Slipper Stakes Gr.2 at Rosehill
Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) tracked front-running filly Every Rose into the straight and put the race to bed with a stunning turn of foot at the furlong. He skipped three lengths clear and held that margin to the line from runner-up Global Quest (More Than Ready).
“He’s an exciting young horse and it’s a real honour to ride him,” stand-in jockey Hugh Bowman said. “I was happy to fill in for Tim (Clark) and he gave me the feel of a horse that is going to keep improving.
“He isn’t screwed right down yet and is in the right hands for a Golden Slipper.”
Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott purchased Farnan from Vinery for $550,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. He’s a three-quarter brother to Sydney stakes winner Sandbar (Snitzel) and their dam Tallow (Street Cry) won a Vanity Stakes Gr 3 at Flemington.
It was the sixth Silver Slipper victory for Waterhouse and bookmakers firmed Farnan into an $8 second-favourite for the Golden Slipper Stakes Gr.1 at Rosehill on March 21. Global Quest is at $15.
Farnan had won his first two starts at Canberra and Wyong but disappointed in the $2 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic in January. “He got onto the worst part of the track at Gold Coast but it did dent our confidence,” Bott said. “It was important to see him measure up today and he certainly made a statement.”
Vinery colt Reloaded is also in the mix for a Group 1 after a late surge when second in the Hobartville Stakes Gr.2 at Rosehill. “That was a good run because the race was set up for the on-pace horses to fight out the finish,” jockey James McDonald said. “A mile will suit and he will be spot on for the Randwick Guineas in a fortnight.”
Reloaded is by Snitzel from VRC Oaks Gr.1 winner Hollow Bullet and cost $350,000 at the 2018 Gold Coast Magic Millions. He is raced by a syndicate that includes Vinery, Chris Waller, Rupert Legh, Glenlogan Park, Neil Werrett and Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
The $1 million Randwick Guineas Gr.1 will be run over 1600m on March 7 and Reloaded is being kept safe at $9.
Miss Siska is another Group 1-bound Vinery graduate following her fighting win in the Peter Young Stakes Gr.2 at Caulfield. The So You Think half-sister to star sprinter Hay List had won the Carlyon Cup Gr 3 first-up on February 8.
“She’s a tough mare and her last prep set up this campaign,” trainer Grahame Begg said. “She raced three weeks in a row during the spring and has carried that form through to this year. She’s a dream to train and just keeps getting the job done.”
Miss Siska’s Group 1 goal is the $1.50 million Australian Cup on March 7. “She loves the 2000m trip at Flemington and we may go the Sydney if the weather holds up,” Begg added. “She appreciates being on top of the ground.”
All Too Royal made up ground against an on-pace track-bias when fourth in the Oakleigh Plate Gr.1 on Saturday. The Vinery-owned son of All Too Hard remains on track for the Newmarket Hcp Gr.1 at Flemington on March 7.
All Too Hard also sired Boom Chicka Boom to a front-running victory in the Mullins Lawyers Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. It improved his record to 7 wins in 20 starts and connections have long-range plans for short-course sprints during the winter carnival.
Vinery’s winning run in juvenile ranks this season continued at the Gold Coast on Saturday with Sassy Enuff in the Swan Super Lines 2yo Hcp (900m). She was offered by Vinery (as agent) at the 2019 Inglis Classic Sale and is by Rich Enuff from dual Weetwood Hcp LR winner Miss Imagica (Hidden Dragon).
Phoenix Global completed a successful weekend for All Too Hard and Vinery in the Hygain Hcp (1200m) at Ballarat on Sunday. Ridden confidently in front by Damien Lane, he bolted in by three lengths for trainer Danny O’Brien and Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
“Danny gave me a strong push and said he was ready to go,” Lane reported. “That was a super win. He rocked along in the lead and was just too good.”
Phoenix Global is a son of Group 1 winning Choisir mare Sacred Choice (Myer Classic & Doncaster Mile) and was a $180,000 graduate out of Vinery’s draft to the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
All Too Hard is gearing up for a ground-breaking result next Saturday when his flag-bearer Alligator Blood takes on Kiwi raider Catalyst in the Australian Guineas Gr.1 at Flemington. They will draw a crowd to headquarters willing them to repeat that stirring duel in the C S Hayes Stakes a fortnight ago.
FARNAN