Saffiano (AUS)
2 c More Than Ready – Black Prada by Domesday
O: Aquis HK G1
B: Aquis Farm
T: Chris Waller
S: 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale V: Newhaven Park (As Agent) P: Aquis Farm, $600,000
W: Clarendon Stakes, 1400m, April 25, Rosehill
Last week, when Sauvestre (Hinchinbrook) was named Maiden of the Week, the suggested rule of thumb was to watch for all Chris Waller-trained two-year-olds, especially those on the path to the J J Atkins (Gr 1, 1400m).
Saffiano looks very much in a similar mould to Sauvestre and seems to be a horse capable of heading towards the Atkins after his win in the Clarendon Stakes, a 1400-metre handicap, at the transferred Hawkesbury meeting at Rosehill last weekend.
The More Than Ready (Southern Halo) juvenile became the first Waller winner of the Clarendon Stakes or its equivalent since Zoustar (Northern Meteor) in 2013. Zoustar progressed to win the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1350m) before finishing second to Romantic Touch (Northern Meteor) in the J J Atkins, that year over its regular 1600 metres.
Saffiano debuted with a fifth to Ocean Emperor (Written Tycoon) over 1100 metres on the Kensington track. That day, he settled last and made ground late.
However, stepping up to 1400 metres, he was able to sit closer and he proved too tough in the finish, defeating previous maiden winners Formentera (I Am Invincible) and Rock My Wand (Wandjina) by a head and a length and a half respectively.
“He is a promising horse, this one. We have taken our time with him,” Waller said. “He is a typical Aquis two-year-old, they are doing a great job and have ready-made horses.”
“We have been a little bit patient with him. He is a horse that has appreciated that time. He is going to go and have a bright future. He finished off very strongly on the Kensington track which is never easy to do. He has come through it well.
“Even today he was a little bit wobbly up the straight. He had to be good to pick up the last 100m and once he did get in the clear he quickened really well.
“There are two reasons you look up to Brisbane, obviously prize-money is one thing and the status of a Group 1 JJ Atkins. Also timing though, getting them up into the warmer climate seems to be a good springboard for a three-year-old, so I’d say we’d follow a similar path.”
Bred by Aquis Farm, Saffiano is the first foal out of the unraced Domesday (Red Ransom) mare Black Prada. She comes from a well-known Woodlands family, with Black Prada a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Appearance (Commands) and stakes winner Mascareri (Commands), both who carried the Darley maroon throughout their careers.
Sent through the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale as part of the Newhaven Park draft, Aquis Farm bought him back for $600,000 after a spirited bidding duel.