Knightsbridge enhances Farnan’s Carnival momentum
Farnan’s two-year-old colt Knightsbridge emerged as a standout from his sire’s second crop of runners when he made a winning debut at Randwick on Saturday, strengthening the hand of co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott ahead of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
The $750,000 Magic Millions purchase took out the Kia Ora Yearlings @ MMGC Plate (1000m), overpowering early leader Thyme To Go (I Am Invincible) to score by a length, with the Bjorn Baker-trained Profitabelle (Profiteer) a further half-length away in third.
After two trials, Knightsbridge, who is raced by the James Harron Colt Partnership and Tony Fung, showed professionalism beyond his experience, settling into the run before finding strongly through the line, a performance that suggested the colt will relish the step up to 1200 metres on the Gold Coast.
“He got to both of his trials quite quickly this preparation and he still has good improvement in his fitness coming into today and that is good stepping up to a Magic Millions,” said Bott, who, alongside Waterhouse, trained Farnan throughout his illustrious career.
Jockey Adam Hyeronimus was similarly bullish post-race, saying: “He’s got a beautiful attitude and nothing worries him.”
“I was quite concerned pre-race with Final Gift and I stressed to the owners that I didn’t want to be following him but that horse probably won us the race but pressuring the leader. We were always going to be strong late and he was.”
Knightsbridge is now rated a $15 chance for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 17.
A half-brother to stakes winners Semana (Winning Rupert) and Gala Queen (Deep Field), Knightsbridge fourth winner from four to race out of Nicconi (Bianconi) mare Festivity, herself a half-sister to the Group 2-placed Listed winner Merriest (Denman).
Farnan covered 141 mares at a fee of $77,000 (inc GST) last season and he will be represented by 24 yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale which gets underway on January 13.