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Fastnet Rock represented by a pair of exciting debutants
Coolmore Stud-based sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and trainer Chris Waller were represented by a pair of exciting debutants at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, headed by Ranch Hand (2 c Fastnet Rock - Mezulla by Shamardal) who made an eye-catching debut over 1000 metres and could now be a potential contender for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) at the Gold Coast next month.
The son of Fastnet Rock (Danehill) could join his stablemates Shaquero (Shalaa) and She's All Class (I Am Invincible) in the lucrative Magic Millions race after he beat Mura Mura (Not A Single Doubt) by three and a quarter lengths, while Honeycreeper (Teofilo) was another half a length back in third.
While the midweek prize-money alone is unlikely to be enough to secure him a Magic Millions start on January 16, Waller will weigh up whether to run the colt again a week before the race.
"The horses that have raced seven days prior to the Magic Millions look to have a pretty good record so we won't say no, but at the same time we won't ruin his career just to get there," Waller said.
"I will have a talk to the owners, see how the horse pulls up and make a decision next week."
Purchased by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier for $260,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Turangga Farm draft, the colt is out of six time-winning Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) mare Mezulla, who was herself purchased by Karl Brown Bloodstock for $230,000 at the 2018 William Inglis Chairman's Sale Breeding Prospects Sale when carrying the colt in utero.
Mezulla herself is a daughter of Group 2-placed mare Vamperalla (Kashani), while further back the colt hails from the same family as Group 1 scorer Just Call Me Sir (Clay Hero).
This season Mezulla produced a filly by Widden Stud-based Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) and has most recently been covered by Darley Stud shuttler Territories (Invincible Spirit).
In the next race on the card, Ranch Hand’s stablemate Fifteen Aria (3 f Fastnet Rock - O'Marilyn by O'Reilly) shed her maiden tag on her first attempt in Hyland Race Colours Maiden Plate (1300m).
The three-year-old filly came out on top of a close finish to beat Flexible (Hallowed Crown) by a head. Vanderland (Vancouver) was the same distance away in third.
The filly was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $600,000 at last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the Kia Ora Stud draft and she is out of 2014 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) winner O'Marilyn (O’Reilly).
O'Marilyn herself is a half-sister to 2006 Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Headturner (Anabaa) and Anacheeva, who landed the Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) in 2010, as well as Group 2 scorer Kroner (Viking Ruler).
James Bester purchased Fifteen Aria’s brother at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling for $520,000 and he is called O’President and is unraced.
In 2019 O'Marilyn produced a filly by Yarraman Park-based sire I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), while the following season she produced another brother to Fifteen Aria and she was covered by Coolmore’s Triple Crown-winning shuttler Justify (Scat Daddy) in November.
Fastnet Rock has 18 lots catalogued at next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, while he has two filly’s engaged at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.