News

Pressing wins Redoute's Choice Stakes

3rd May 2014

Pressing showed his debut win over Petrology was no fluke by repeating the feat in the $120,000 listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1200m) for two-year-olds at Caulfield on Saturday.

Pressing’s victory, to maintain his unbeaten record after two starts, was not without its anxious moments.

The son of Sebring was three lengths off the second last horse (Petrology) with 600 metres remaining.

“You wouldn’t want to be betting him in the run based on the first half of the race,” Price quipped.

But Brad Rawiller didn’t panic on the colt, plotting a path closest towards the inside rail and hit the lead at the 200-metre mark.

Pressing ($2.70 favourite) was strong on the line, defeating Petrology ($4) by 3½ lengths with Easy Drama ($10) a further head away in third.

“Today wasn’t so much of a surprise to see him win but when he was off the bridle behind the second last horse that was a bit of a surprise,” Price said.

“He’s a really gusty colt who saves his best for raceday and he’s doing the job.”

Pressing holds a nomination for the $500,000 Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.

Meanwhile, Jake Noonan has plenty of time for the David Hayes-trained Petrology. The son of Fastnet Rock is a younger brother of Group 1 winner Aqua D’Amore.

“He’s a nice progressive type who ran a nice race again,” Noonan said.

“The winner (Pressing) is probably pretty smart as well, being able to win his first start here in good style and then back up and win with similar authority.

“He’ll be better suited next prep once he gets out to 1400 metres to 1600 metres. He’s doing a lot on raw ability at the moment, the penny hasn’t dropped.”

Recent winners of the Redoute’s Choice Stakes include Wales (2012) and The Huntress (2013).

*Pressing (pictured as yearling) was a $100,000 purchase by Blue Sky Bloodstock / M G Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd from from Widden Stud’s draft in Session II of the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.