| Militarize confirmed his status as one of the country’s hottest juveniles with a brilliant win in today’s Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. |
| Sent out the favourite after an impressive last start win in the Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes a fortnight ago, Militarize showed he was a star of the future with an authoritative win. Allowed to settle back in the field, Militarize overcame a wide trip without cover to round up his rivals and sprint clear late for a performance that impressed seasoned racegoers. The win meant trainer Chris Waller had completed the Sydney Juvenile Triple Crown. Home bred Shinzo won the Golden Slipper while Militarize has now won the other two legs in brilliant fashion. “I haven’t put that much thought into it but as soon as you said it, as you can tell it makes me a little bit emotional. We haven’t done anything different, just looked after these great crop of two-year-olds and they’ve looked after us haven’t they?!” “He (Militarize) was in a class of his own in my opinion, which I can say,” Waller said. “But realistically he’s a decent horse.” “He was three-wide today, didn’t have any cover. Joao (Moreira) didn’t panic. The most exciting part is we haven’t pushed him yet.” “We’re certainly looking forward to the spring,” Waller said of Militarize. Champion international rider Joao Moreira was suitably impressed with the performance from the star juvenile. “That proves I was on such a good horse,” Moreira said. “He impressed me with the way how he attacked the line. He deserved the win because he’s a trier and no doubt about it you can’t get any better.” “He’s a good horse, he’s given me that feeling before. I went to the race with plenty of confidence.” “I had big hopes, but I didn’t think he was going to win that impressively. He was exposed wide, had to face the breeze, covering ground and he was the winner a long (way from) home. He attacked the line like he wanted to win.” “I think the sky is the limit for this horse. Based on the way of how he has done it today, mile is not a problem and I can see him even running 2000m or maybe even further.” “Just by the way how he travels underneath, respecting the rider,” Moreira added. “He will be such a versatile type of horse.” A son of Arrowfield Stud’s leading sire Dundeel, Militarize was a $550,000 buy for China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds. The team at Bhima presented him at the auction on behalf of breeder GSA Bloodstock. He’s the first winner to date, from two to race, for the lightly raced and Saint-Cloud placed Dubawi mare Amerindia. A daughter of the Longchamp Group One winning Muhtathir mare Satwa Queen, Amerindia is a half sister to German stakes winner Important Time – who in turn is the dam of Group One Saratoga Derby winner Nations Pride. Amerindia is also a half sister to the unraced mare Queen of Carthage – she is best known as the dam of Yulong’s Group One winning sire Lucky Vega. Militarize’s Group One double of the Sires’ Produce and Champagne Stakes followed on from Little Brose’s victory in Victoria’s Blue Diamond Stakes meaning the 2022 Gold Coast Yearling Sale was the only sale to offer a Group One juvenile this season so far. Meanwhile, Shesallshenanigans had the punters cheering when she scored a brilliant win in the $1 million TBV The Showdown (1200m) at Sandown later in the day. The daughter of Toronado was a $115,000 buy for her trainer Simon Zahra at the 2022 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Kulani Park. Like Militarize, she was three deep without cover for much of the race, but still proved way too good under Linda Meech for a three and a quarter length win over fellow Gold Coast purchase Elphinstone. Winner: Militarize Breeding: Dundeel-Amerindia (Dubawi) Breeder: GSA Bloodstock Pty Ltd Race: ATC Champagne Stakes G1 (1600m) Sold for: $550,000 Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Vendor: Bhima Thoroughbreds (As Agent) Buyer: China Horse Club/Newgate B’stock/Trilogy Racing Earnings: $1,106,400 Owners: Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Trilogy, Newgate S F, Horse Ventures, Go Bloodstock Australia, Starlight Racing, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem, Aston Bloodstock, Nick Vass Bloodstock, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd & Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill) |
