News

Sale Topper Godspeed To Debut At Rosehill

11th Jan 2011

Racing And Sports - Alex Steedman - Tuesday, 11 January 2011

2010 Australian Inglis Easter Yearling sale topper Godspeed makes his race debut at Rosehill this Saturday where the $1.875million colt will likely take on a host of other well bred and highly priced debutants from leading stables.

The Gerald Ryan-trained Godspeed has shown early promise at his first preparation with an encouraging trial win at Rosehill on December 21 and can go part of the way in recouping his $1.875million price tag when he debuts over 1100m this Saturday.

Godspeed has been further readied for his debut with a jump-out this morning where the foal of Listed winner Regrowth was ridden by Steven Arnold who will be aboard the son of Redoute's Choice come raceday.

The expensive yearling purchase belongs to the same family as 2007 Group 1 Golden Slipper winning filly Forensics which is also the lucrative 2YO event Godspeed is being aimed at during April.

The 2YO colts and geldings Handicap (1100m) has attracted 15 nominations with three of Godspeed's potential rivals also well bred.

One of these juveniles with the price tag to match who may also make his debut on Saturday is Patinack Farm-owned Kutcher who was an $800,000 purchase at the Australian Inglis Easter Yearling Sales.

Patinack Farm have enjoyed some of their best successes with Tale Of The Cat progeny including Gathering and Trusting and they will be hoping trends continue with this two-year-old out of multiple Group 1 winning mare Gee I Jane.

Gee I Jane is a half sister to NZ Group 3 winner Miss Jessie Jay who is the dam of NZ Group 1 winning fillies Katie Lee and Banchee who was New Zealand's Champion 2YO of last season.

Kutcher had two barrier trials last month running second behind Gai Waterhouse-trained Boardwalk Dancer during his latest effort at Randwick on December 30.

Another high priced colt who has shown ability during barrier trials nominated for Saturday is Clarry Conners-trained Pride Of China.

By Danzero out of Rory's Jester mare Trick Ski, Pride Of China was a $400,000 purchase at the Australian Inglis Easter Yearling Sales.

Pride Of China comes from a proven broodmare family and is a half sister to 2007 Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) winner Downhill Racer.

Fetching $375,000 as a yearling was another Redoute's Choice colt in Saint La Bamba.

Saint La Bamba is out of proven mare La Bamba who has previously foaled dual HK Group 1 winning sprinter Inspiration.

The David Payne-trained two-year-old also has a full brother and sister who are Listed winners Lucky Unicorn and Provence.

Saint La Bamba will debut this Saturday after three barrier trials with his best result to date a second behind Chris Waller-trained Contravene over 900m at Rosehill on January 4.