Westbury Stud graduate Move To Strike produced a dynamic performance to score on debut at Te Rapa on Saturday and put himself in line for a crack at Melbourne’s premier Group 1 two-year-old event.
The Gerry Harvey-bred son of I Am Invincible had been unbeaten in three trial outings and the weight of expectation rested easily on his young shoulders when he trounced his opposition over 1100 metres.
“He’s such a cool customer this colt and has got an amazing brain so he’s got a very bright future,” said Mark Walker, who trains Move To Strike with Sam Bergerson.
“He’ll probably run in the Eclipse Stakes (G2, 1200m) and then Melbourne for the Blue Diamond Stakes (G1, 1200m) if everything goes well.”
Westbury will also offer his half-brother by Zoustar as Lot 1008 at next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Move To Strike was sent out the shortest-priced favourite of the day and his army of supporters never had a moment’s concern with the youngster returning Winx-like odds of $1.20.
“He’s a big, imposing sort of colt, a magnificent animal and he had trialled well, we really like him,” Walker said.
Move To Strike settled in the trial before he was into the clear at the top of the straight and let down powerfully in the closing 250 metres to win easing down by 4.8l and in fitting style to give champion jockey Opie Bosson his 2000th New Zealand winner.
“It’s pretty cool and I knew this horse could get it done for me and to do it in these colours for David (Ellis) and the Te Akau team is in an extra bonus,” Bosson said.
“I think this horse is a superstar in the making. He’s just got the right attitude and you’d think he’d been doing it for years, the way he just takes things in his stride.”
Walker and Bosson have enjoyed a close and highly successful association for years and the former was delighted to provide his friend with a milestone victory.
“Opie has had just had such an amazing career, for someone that’s struggled with his weight,” he said.
“I remember he won his first race when he was 16 years old and he had a postage stamp for a saddle, and full credit to him still to be in the saddle after all these years.
“It was good to do it on such an exciting horse, as well. Opie has thought a lot of this horse for quite some time.”
With an impressive pedigree and looks to match, Move To Strike left the ring at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with a hefty price tag around his neck after Te Akau’s David Ellis went to A$525,000 to secure the colt out of Baramul Stud’s draft.
A half-brother to five winners including Group performer Discharged, he is a son of the Shamardal mare No Evidence Needed.
She was a gifted performer who won the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes and G3 Southern Cross Stakes and a dual Group 1 runner-up in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Schweppes Oaks.