Introducing (AUS)

2 c Trapeze Artist – Smokin’ Alice by Smoke Glacken

O: James Harron Bloodstock Colts, Love Racing, Mrs B C Bateman, Mr P Mehrten, Doyles Breeding & Racing, G1G Racing & Breeding, Mr D Saab, Mr J-D Huynh, Rockingham Thoroughbreds

B: Mr IK Smith

T: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott

S: 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale V: Edinburgh Park Stud P: James Harron Bloodstock colt partnership, $380,000

W: Furphy Plate, 1000m, February 22, Warwick Farm

Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) colt Introducing (2 c ex Smokin’ Alice by Smoke Glacken) made the perfect start to his racing career when winning the two-year-old maiden plate over 1000 metres at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, earning this week’s ANZ Bloodstock News Maiden of the Week accolade.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Introducing was sent off the $2.45 favourite after an eye-catching trial effort in beating Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) winner Platinum Jubilee (Zoustar).

Having settled behind the early leader, Introducing kicked clear under Brett Prebble in the James Harron Bloodstock silks, to win by a long neck ahead of Capital Heart (Capitalist).

Prebble said the colt showed good ability in his first start, but suggested there was still improvement to come.

“He got really upset going to the barriers and he wanted to take off,” Prebble said.

“I did my best to keep him calm and save his energy as best I could, but he’s very new, he’s raw.”

Bott said Introducing will be better for a drier surface, having contested the race on a Heavy 8 surface.

“We took a few risks coming here today with a few unknown factors, so it was good to see him get the job done,” Bott said.

“He is still a bit raw and there is a good bit to improve on, but he’s got plenty of upside.”

Bred and sold by Ian Smith’s Edinburgh Park Stud, Introducing was purchased by James Harron for $380,000 from last year’s Inglis Easter yearling sale.

He is a half-brother to three-time Magic Millions raceday winner Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock), being out of the six-time US winner Smokin’ Alice (Smoke Glacken).

Smokin’ Alice died in August last year having not produced another foal.

Introducing became the third individual winner for Widden Stud’s first season sire Trapeze Artist (Snitzel), who stood last year for a fee of $55,000 (inc GST).