Can the Chris Waller-trained import McCreery (GB) be the first to provide Group 1 honours for his sire Big Bad Bob who died after injuring himself in a paddock accident at the Irish National Stud back in April?.
A 200,000 guineas purchase at the 2015 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training sale, McCreery has started the new season in style opening his stakes account in the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on August 18 before taking a step up in the Group III Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.
With Joao 'Magic Man' Moreira in the saddle, McCreery came clear in the final stages to defeat Sir John Hawkwood (Sir Percy) by one and a half-lengths with Allergic (Street Cry) two lengths back in third. (photo Steve Hart).
"He placed himself in such a great position in the race and he had a great turn of foot turning for home," Moreira said.
"That was a very impressive win and I was delighted to be on board."
Waller praised the Brazilian superstar while pondering whether to step McCreey up in distance for the Group 1 ATC Metropolitan (2400m) or bring him back to the mile of the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), which he did successfully with the 2014 Kingston Town winner He's Your Man.
"That is why Joao is great for doing," Waller said. "Gets that acceleration out of them. He made him look like a good horse.
"He got him into a beautiful position from barrier nine which is never easy especially on a horse stepping up to 2000m for the first time.
"Got him to switch off perfectly and didn't he let down at the top of the straight."
"Three weeks to the mile is easy," Waller said. "Stepping up to the 2400m is a little bit harder."
Bred by Lord Rothschild, McCreery is a half-brother to Selkirk mare Thistle Bird who was honoured as Champion Older Female in Ireland in 2014. Her 8 wins included the Curragh Group 1Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh and two editions of the Group III Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom.
The dam of McCreery, Dolma (Marchand de Sable) was a 6-time winner in France including stakes races at Chantilly,
Dolma would rank among the better mares covered by Big Bad Bob who was 16-years-old when he broke his neck after colliding with a fence post in his paddock at the Irish National Stud.
A Listed winner at two and Group III winner in Germany at three, the son of the Roberto stallion Bob Back, Big Bad Bob began his stud career at Islanmore Stud covering small books of mares mainly owned by his owner/breeder Cristina Patino.
His high strike rate saw him transferred to the Irish National Stud in 2011 where he covered an average of 100 mares for the last four years.
