News

Smart Winner with Stallion Potential

16th Sep 2015

Breednet - by Tara Madgwick - Wednesday, 16 September 2015

As a three-quarter brother-in-blood to Group I winner and leading sire Snitzel, three year-old Redoute’s Choice colt Dark Steel has stallion potential written all over him and a win at Canterbury on Wednesday has him on the path to racetrack success.

Third and fourth at his first two runs back in June, the Gai Waterhouse trained colt had looked sharp in two recent trial wins and ran right up to that form.

He jumped smartly for Blake Shinn to take up the lead and cruised around to take the 1200 metre maiden by more than a length as a short priced favourite.

"It’s an important spring for Dark Steel and I think he has the makings of a serious colt,” said Waterhouse.

"He was immature last preparation, but not now. He’s focused and much stronger. You’ll see a lot more of him, a very exciting colt.”

A $600,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Gai Waterhouse/ James Harron Bloodstock from the Kitchwin Hills draft, Dark Steel runs for Greg and Donna Kolivos of Pierro fame.

Bred by Neil Werrett, Dark Steel was foaled and raised at Kitchwin Hills.

He is a full brother to Group III placed Redoutable Heart and is the fourth winner from stakes-placed More Than Ready (USA) mare Wiener, a sibling to Snitzel and Group III winners Viennese and Hinchinbrook, who was Champion Australian First Season Sire for 2014/2015.

Wiener has a yearling filly by All Too Hard and was covered last year by Zoustar.