Peter Snowden was on track at Newcastle on Thursday to see his talented two-year-old colt Fearless confirm a start in the April 6 Group 1 Inglis Sires at Randwick. Winless but close up in his only three starts in group company, Fearless was $1.24 in the Sharp Office 2YO Maiden Plate (1200m) on Thursday. The colt sat outside the leader in the seven horse field before Tommy Berry allowed him to stride clear at the top of the straight.
He was given a couple of slaps with the whip to keep his mind on the job and he was strong to the line defeating John O’Shea’s Blue Vein by 1.14 lengths, with the winner’s stablemate Media World third 3.56 lengths from the winner. Snowden said following the race that’s it was mission accomplished and Fearless will line up in the Inglis Sires next meet.
“ Paul and I identified today’s set weight race as the horse’s final hit out for the Sires. He normally gets well back in his races but it was a small field today and he jumped well and Tommy was content to control the race outside the leader. Fearless is a better horse when midfield or worse and I expect him to be midfield in the Sires. It was a soft five but the splits were good and I liked the way he kicked away when challenged late. The track was in great order.
Media World will head to the Baillieu and then to the Fernhill Handicap during the Championships” Snowden said.
John Sargents’ three-year-old filly Unique Ambition appreciated a huge drop in class when she scored a dominant first up win in the NZB Insurance Super Maiden Plate (1200m). In the Spring, the filly finished down the track in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and Group 2 Tea Rose however, a recent eye-catching Randwick trial suggested the Kiwi bred was ready to win first up on Thursday.
Rachel King made the trip to ride the daughter of leading Kiwi sire Tavistock and she put the filly in the box seat one out and one back. Unique Ambition cruised to the lead 250 metres out and raced away to win by 2.5 lengths. She will probably be a Queensland Oaks contender during the Winter.
Randwick trainer Michael Freedman’s great strike rate at Newcastle continued when he saddled up two winners at Thursday’s meeting. Freedman’s Irish import Rattle And Hum, racing in a Darby Racing Syndicate colours failed at Kembla first up in Australia on February 29 however, the step up to 1850 metres in Thursday’s Coastline Pool And Spa Class 1 & Maiden Plate was more suitable, and he bolted in by 3.82 lengths, the easiest win of the day.
Freedman’s Edited By, backed up his Newcastle win on March 8 with another impressive win the Prince Of Merewether Class 1 Handicap (1400m).
Hawkesbury based apprentice Zac Wadick was the only jockey to land a double at the meeting.