3 minute read
Mick Price trains the first winner of his 2015 VRC Derby winner
MIck Price trained Tarzino (Tavistock) to win the VRC Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) in October 2015 and the Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) the following March and on Wednesday trained the first winner by Westbury Stud-based sire when Jungle Magnate (2 c ex The Love Of Money by Casino Prince) won on debut over 1400 metres at Sandown-Hillside.
Bought by Mick Price Racing & Breeding for NZ$75,000 at last year’s Karaka Book 1 sale from the draft of Westbury Stud, Jungle Magnate held on well to beat Mac ‘N’ Cheese (Sebring), who made ground late, by a head, with Back In The Day (More Than Ready) another three quarters of a length away in third.
Michael Kent Jr joined Price in a training partnership a little over two year ago and said it was unfortunate he was not around when Tarzino won his two Group 1 races.
"All the team remind me how good he was, he was really cheeky," Kent Jr said.
"And we love the stallion going forward. They can only get better as they turn three and four, you would imagine.
"Tarzino was a Derby winner, he was a very good-looking horse, he throws very sound, clean-winded horses and this guy is a lovely example of a colt by the stallion."
Kent Jr said the stable has five Tarzino youngsters in their care.
"They show a lot of speed and this horse was galloping with our nicer two-year-olds last prep and he was going better than some of them, but we just had to cool his jets.
"This time we've done a good job of getting him to switch off, relax and finish off his races. We told the owners it would be no surprise if he wins, but we're here to educate him.
"He didn't win by a big margin, but it's never easy to come here at your first start.
"He got quite colty out the back there and he was in front quite a long way from home, so he's done a good job."
Jungle Magnate is the first living foal out of the twice-raced The Love Of Money (Casino Prince) who was bought for $100,000 by Baramul Stud at the 2014 Magic Millions Patinack Farm Complete Dispersal Sale.
His second dam is Brazilian dual Grade 1 winner Loving New (Choctaw Ridge) who produced fellow Grade 1 winner Questing New (Romarin).
Tarzino will stand for a fee of NZ$12,000 (plus GST) this year.