Hidrix, a $1.7 million dud, or a winner in the four-legged lottery of yearling gambles?
This is an intriguing question about Saturday’s two-year-old racing at Rosehill Gardens, lacking the Golden Slipper sparkle of a bygone era.
Prior to the Everest and the urge to sell Rosehill, the Golden Slipper and leadup events had a pride of place that has evaporated.
For instance, the Canonbury, for colts and geldings, and the Widden Stakes this year are at Group three level but recent chapters make their status questionable.
Ten acceptors for the Widden are all maidens while Incognito, the $1.60 hotpot on Friday for the Canonbury, is the only winner in the seven left, including first-starter Hidrix, a Chris Waller whopper, as in speculation and price, rather than hamburger patty.
At his first two barrier trials, Hidrix look more likely for the gelder’s blade than stud immortality. Still third time up I liked the way the grey colt hit the line. Hidrix was assessed at $10 on Friday. By Extreme Caution out of Shadow and a brother to Apocalyptic, successful at Group one, Hidrix has more than bloodlines to recommend him. Waller is a part-owner.
The trainer engaged Zac Lloyd for Hidrix who jumps from one while the world champ James McDonald handles stablemate, Confederation, a mere $650,000 purchase, who, perhaps, has been more impressive in barrier heats.
After scratching Campione D’Italia Waller still has three remaining: Defensemen, makes the whopper category price tag being $1.4 million. Defensemen had had two starts and returned $35,000 but could do better as his distances extend.
Final acceptances will play a role. Waller beefed up the field. Without his four the race could have been dropped.
Of course, Incognito looks a good thing in the Canonbury following the path of Sebring (2008) and Vancouver (2015) last two Golden Slipper winners to take to Breeder’s Plate prior, and the last real substance in the 1100 metre sprint.
A $1 million yearling without the Waller garnish, Incognito, prepared by Michael Freedman, looks worth every cent. Freedman is very relevant in the training ranks, particularly with two-year-olds, and should have won the Magic Millions Guineas with Ninja on the Gold Coast recently.
Remember that protest?
Anyway, Incognito gives the impression from barrier trials he has developed since.
Waller also holds the ace in the Widden Stakes with Miss Scandal, collected for only $320,000 in New Zealand. If anything, Miss Scandal, making her debut, has barrier trialled better than Incognito, surprising because the great horseman keeps so much in reserve with his conditioning process. The full extent of what horse-power they have, Waller usually doesn’t display until races.
Possibly Miss Scandal will contribute to the surge in New Zealand breds. Yes, even prior to Phar Lap, they had a market, mainly stayers, in Australia. Horses were more highly regarded than the humans. With Waller, J-Mac, Bjorn Baker and Jason Collett, their influence has never been greater.
But with the influx of European, British and Irish horses, plus their people, New Zealand thoroughbred interest subsided.
Before Ceolwulf was on the boil and Ka Ying Rising was early in the winning streak, Joe Pride, always an opinion worth noting, advocated better value buying in the Dominion than further abroad.
Now Well Written, unbeaten in five starts, is booming. A yearling purchase for $80,000, a piece of the Well Written ownership subsequently was picked by Yulong Investments, big spenders when it comes to horses dealing.
Via Sistina was a $9,700 yearling and when Yulong went to $5.2 million to secure her, eyebrows were raised.
At the last count she had earned over $19 million with more to come as a brood mare.
Now Via Sistina was a Waller whooper.
Great tipping with Hidrix, Max!