Duke Of Arrakis (AUS)
2 c Written Tycoon – Sent From Above by Lonhro
O: Cunningham Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd (Mgr: M Cunningham), Yu Long Investments (Mgr: Y Zhang), J P Comito, M Comito, T M Johnston, X Y Huang, P L Ward, R S Inglis, Miss J L Guo, V Y Hou & M Bevan
B: Yulong
T: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
S: 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale V: Yulong P: Gai Waterhouse / Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds / Cunningham Thoroughbreds / Clarke Bloodstock, $360,000
W: TAB Maiden Handicap, 1150m, June 11, Randwick-Kensington
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Duke Of Arrakis (Written Tycoon) produced a smart performance on debut at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday, scoring a 1.7-length victory in an 1150-metre maiden handicap.
A son of Written Tycoon (Iglesia), the colt was sent off a $12 chance under Regan Bayliss and denied the $2.60 favourite Cold Brew (Pierro) with a further 0.4 lengths back to the third-placed Stardeel (Dundeel).
“I think he’s going to be most effective once we can get him to that 1400, 1600-metre range,” Bott said.
“That’s the exciting part. He has shown class today to win in that fashion. We will see what’s around for him now, whether there is another run we can give him before we tip him out.
“But he has got a lovely profile and he’ll keep improving every time he steps out.”
Bred by Yulong, Duke Of Arrakis was sold for $360,000 to his trainers, Kestrel Thoroughbreds, Cunningham Thoroughbreds and Clarke Bloodstock at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale – with his breeder also retaining a share in the colt.
The second winner out of the winning Lonhro (Octagonal) mare Sent From Above, he is a half-brother to his stablemate Shangri La Express (Alabama Express) who showed brilliance early when winning twice as a juvenile – including the Golden Gift (1100m) – and placing in the Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m).
“His half-relation [Shangri La Express] showed a little bit more precocity than what he has. Physically, he has still got a bit of maturing to do,” Bott said.
“He will continue to fill out and he is going to be a much better three-year-old so I don’t think we will push too far into a winter campaign.
“I just wanted to do enough to get him seasoned because I think there are some big races for him in the spring.”