‘The stable have always had a good opinion of him’ – Harron hoping Tulloch Lodge colt can secure Magic Millions berth
James Harron and the Waterhouse-Bott stable will aim to strengthen their Magic Millions hand on Saturday when exciting colt Knightsbridge (Farnan) steps out at Randwick with a coveted berth in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1100m) on the line.
The son of Kia Ora Stud’s promising young sire Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) showed ability at his only start to date when finishing an encouraging fifth in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Flemington in October and returns this weekend with qualification firmly in mind.
“The stable have always had a good opinion of him,” Harron told ANZ News.
“He’s a very well natured colt, he goes about his business very well. He has had two good trials leading in and hopefully he can have a good forward showing.
“He has really only got one opportunity to qualify for the Magic Millions, so, if he’s able to win, then naturally we’ll take that path, and if not we’ll probably stick around Sydney.”
Knightsbridge was prominent throughout on debut, jumping cleanly to lead before being run down late by Lindsay Park’s Eurocanto (Per Incanto), beaten just 1.35 lengths.
“It was probably a bit of an ask going to Melbourne. I think nothing really on speed won that day and he was a little bit lost. It just didn’t really work out for him,” Harron said.
“So I think being back in more familiar territory with that run under his belt last preparation, and being in his second racing prep it should start him in good stead.”
Bred to perform, Knightsbridge is out of the winning Nicconi (Bianconi) mare Festivity and is a half-brother to Group 1-placed and Group 3-winning Semana (Winning Rupert) as well as Listed winner Gala Queen (Deep Field).
The colt lines up as favourite in Saturday’s opening event at Randwick and will be ridden by Adam Hyeronimous from barrier four. The pair have already combined in two recent trials, finishing first and second at Randwick Kensington and Rosehill respectively.
“It’s always a bit of an advantage to have that race prep under your belt, that being said, it looks like there are some promising horses coming out of the trials, so you never really quite know what you’re up against,” Harron said.
“He’s a very relaxed horse, so, I think generally, it’s the stable’s style to have their horses up on speed, but he’s a horse that if there’s a really hot tempo, he’ll come back easily enough as well.
“I think we’ll just leave it up to Adam to make the right call in terms of the tempo of the race, and make sure he gives him every opportunity.”
Knightsbridge was secured for $750,000 by James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership with Tony Fung Colts at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale through the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft, and Harron is already looking ahead to another busy week on the Gold Coast.
“Looking forward to it now. It’s been a fantastic sale for us over the years, and we can’t wait to get stuck into it,” he said.
“We head there on the 5th of January, and by all accounts, it looks like another great lineup of horses, so can’t wait to get stuck into it.”
Harron feels a Randwick victory would provide the perfect lead-in to Queensland.
“At this stage, it looks like we’re going to get a run with Mystical, who’s in our fillies partnership, and if we can get Incognito in there for our colt partnership, it would be fantastic.”