Mark Riley will fast-track a course towards the G1 Coolmore Stakes with his Danehill Express gelding Gold Rory.

The sky’s the limit for Gold Rory after his super-impressive first-up victory in the Metro Solar Hcp (1000m) at Mornington on Wednesday.  He settled outside the leader and skipped clear to win by three lengths with something in hand.

Runner-up The Travelling Man (Stratum) had won the LR Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield in January.

“I will run him again later this month,” Riley said.  “Then, all going to plan, he will start in the Blue Sapphire and the Coolmore Stakes.”

The Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on October 13 is worth $250,500 and the G1 Coolmore Stakes at Flemington on November 3 carries $500,000 in prizemoney.

Gold Rory (3g Danehill Express – Rory’s Song by Rory’s Jester) started favourite on debut after beating classy stablemate Stralia in a private gallop last week.  “He knew exactly what to do,” jockey Steven King said.  “He’s got natural speed and feels like a real racehorse.”

King also rode his sire Danehill Express to win the LR Tupperware Cup during the 2004 Caulfield Cup carnival.

Danehill Express is by breed-shaper Danehill from G1 AJC Oaks winner Savana City.  He won the 2011-12 WA first-season sires’ premiership and is standing for an $8,800 (inc gst) fee at Mungrup Stud.

Gold Rory was a $42,500 buy from Mungrup at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions.  Riley was drawn to the colt having trained his older half-brother Gold In Dubai (Desert Sun) to five wins and over $570,600 in prizemoney.

Their dam Rory’s Song is a three-quarter sister to sprinting sires Real Jester and Seidnazar.  She is due to foal to Oratorio (Aus) and will visit Mungrup’s new shuttler Dick Turpin this season.

– Karl Patterson

GOLD RORY
Pictured as a yearling at Mungrup Stud prior to the 2011 Perth Magic Millions