Icarian Dream (Randwick R3 #6)
TRAINER: C Maher
RACE: Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2, 1000m)
I was thoroughly impressed with this daughter of Blue Point (IRE) (Shamardal) at the first official Sydney trials back on September 23rd.
She sat off the front runners and was even wide at stages for the first 600m. The main factor that impressed me was her maturity, never over-racing or throwing her head about when told to settle.
When they hit the straight, she lengthened beautifully and put pay to her rivals while under minimal riding.
For this Saturday she tackles the Gimcrack and looks well placed from the soft barrier draw, with the booking of Zac Lloyd.
Icarian Dream was bought by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $310,000 as a weanling from Three Bridges Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions National.
She then went back under the hammer at the Gold Coast as a yearling, when she resold for $300,000 and was bought by Ciaron Maher.
She is the second foal of Teebo, a winning Stryker daughter of Group I winning sprinter Recurring.
As is the case for most of these runners, having their first trip to the races, she will vastly improve going forward and is definitely one to follow.
Depth Of Character (Randwick Race 4 #1)
TRAINER: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibold
RACE: Dulcify Stakes (Listed, 1600m)
The price on offer for this Deep Field 3YO colt is ridiculous.
Last campaign he went from strength to strength culminating in winning the Listed Impressu Print Group Tattersall’s Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
He was immediately put away for a spell with the thought process of bringing him back as a 3YO miler.
Regular rider Tommy Sherry mentioned after that run, “He’s got a lovely attitude. I think he’ll be even better in six months.”
He returned to the races on the 21st of September and was solid enough in a stacked field of runners at Caulfield.
The rise to 1600m will suit and trainer Annabel Neasham thinks alike, “He’s going to be a lovely three-year-old, and I think the mile will not be a problem for him.”
He gets his chance this Saturday to throw his name amongst the top contenders in Guineas markets.
Depth Of Character was a $180,000 acquisition by his trainer at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, sourced from The Chase draft.
Bred by China Horse Club, this promising colt is the second winner produced by the Power (GB) mare Caricature, who had an impressive racing career herself.
Caricature notably placed in the Group III Hawkes Bay Lowland Stakes and secured a fourth in the prestigious Group 1 New Zealand Oaks, showcasing her strong middle-distance ability.
With such a strong pedigree and early success in the breeding barn, Depth Of Character is well-positioned to make his mark on the racecourse.
Tremonti (Flemington Race 2 #4)
TRAINER: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
RACE: Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (Listed, 1000m)
This was the best trailer of all the 2YO’s in my mind.
He was cleanly away from the barriers and shoved along to hold a position in a trial where they scorched along up front.
They set up the run for something to scorch home and that was the case with trial winner ‘Tuscany’.
The fight that Tremonti (Hellbent) showed along the inside rail was brilliant and he finds a race where he will get complete control.
If he pinches a few cheap sectionals he is going to be awfully hard to hold out.
Tremonti was a $180,000 purchase from Darby Racing coming out of the MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale for Vendor Redbank North.
He is out of the 7YO mare Quachita and is her first colt for sale.
He still has plenty of learning to do but if he puts his best foot forward here should be in the finish at a more than generous quote.
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