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Armatree proves too strong in Sydney
The Peter and Snowden-trained Armatree (2 c ex Miss Occhilupo by Octagonal) broke his maiden at the second time of asking when he landed the Exceedance at Vinery Maiden 2YO Handicap (1100m) at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday and in the process became the fifth first-crop winner for Coolmore Stud’s exciting young stallion Vancouver (Medaglia d’Oro).
Still green when off the bridle over the final furlong, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Armatree proved too strong for this rivals, scoring a three quarter length victory over stablemate Dance (Not A Single Doubt), while Wild Rush (No Nay Never) was another neck away in third.
“He’s a big strong customer and will appreciate further in time. After that last run, he certainly knew what it was about this time and had it won a long way out,” said Paul Snowden.
“He’s got some class and it will take him a long way.”
Meanwhile, winning jockey James McDonald said: “He quickened well and then got a bit lost with a furlong to go, he was really only going through his gears on the line.
“I think he’s still a prep away and whatever he is doing now is a bonus.”
The colt is the third winner out of Miss Occhilupo (Octagonal), who is herself out of Listed winner Malibu Light (Capote), making her a half-sister to the stakes placed Star Of Flight (Marscay).
Malibu Light herself is a half-sister to fellow Listed winner Lyin Goddess (Boston Harbor), while further afield this is the family of Listed scorer Double Deceit (Northern Dancer).
The colt is bred on a similar cross to Group 3 winner Asiago (Medaglia d’Oro).
Vancouver’s first-crop also contains four stakes performers and he will stand the 2020 season at Coolmore Stud $30,250 (inc GST), having stood the 2019 term for $44,000 (inc GST).