Well Related Colt Makes Winning Debut

The Informant reports:

Twelve months on from his high-priced appearance in the Karaka sale ring, Equinox began his racing career on the perfect note at Trentham on Saturday afternoon.

By Exceed and Excel out of the Group Three winner and Group One-placed Our Ella Belle, the colt was a $750,000 purchase during last year's inaugural Book 1 sale by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis.

He made his debut in today's New World Railway Metro 2YO, and after winning his only trial by four and three-quarter lengths, he was sent out as a $1.90 favourite.

He lived up to expectations, kicking clear from the 300-metre mark and scoring by two and a quarter lengths with Craig Grylls in the saddle.

“He's been good at home, but just had a couple of little immaturity issues that we've had to be patient with,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “We picked out this race as a nice stepping stone into the Matamata Slipper (February 23) and into the Sistema Stakes (March 16) at Ellerslie. It's what we did with Heroic Valour, and it should suit him nicely.

“Scott (Lucock) and Mette (Mosebo) have done a terrific job, as too Dan Miller who rides him in most of his work. He's done a really good job on him and he's an exciting colt for the future.”

It was a timely win for Ellis, who will be assembling another of his colts syndicates at Karaka over the coming days.

“Equinox is in my colts' syndicate that I put together last year,” he said. “Jamie and I identified him during inspections as a potential Group One-winning two-year-old, and he's on his way.

“We bought three colts for the syndicate, and all three have impressed us, and a lot more fun to be had with them. We also put together a fillies syndicate and they all look exciting prospects too.

“We're putting another colts syndicate together this year, which is almost fully subscribed with owners, as too the fillies syndicate.

“These two-year-olds are not easy to train and all of them are winning races because they're good racehorses and been very well educated, but none of them have been pushed and they're all horses that we expect will go on and be better three-year-olds.”

“The Matamata Slipper and Sistema Stakes are races we've won with Darci Brahma, Heroic Valour, and Minstrel Court, colts that have gone on to stand at stud, along with Sword of Osman, Warhorse and Maroofity,” Ellis said.

“It's been a terrific effort by Jamie and all the staff to have these young horses performing up to their natural ability as two-year-olds, but as I said they should all keep improving as they continue to mature.”

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