Sydney's leading trainer Chris Waller is not known for buying expensive
yearlings but he did sign for a Frankel colt at the Inglis Australian Easter
Yearling Sale last year for $1.6 million.Bred by John Singleton's Strawberry Hill Stud, the colt from More Strawberries has since been syndicated amongst a who's who of owner / breeders and named Merovee.
Given a quiet trial at Rosehill on February 27, Merovee was asked to do a bit more this time around and responded well for Kerrin McEvoy.
A touch slow from the gates he settled last in the field of nine, but powered to the line through the field under a hold up the straight to win forging clear by three quarters of a length.
The most expensive Frankel sold at auction in Australasia, Merovee is the first foal of Group II winning More Than Ready (USA) mare More Strawberries, who was third in the 2010 Golden Slipper won by Crystal Lily.
A half-sister to Group I winner and sire All American, More Strawberries boasts a big international Black Type family making Merovee a very valuable international stallion prospect if his racetrack deeds can back up his pedigree.
Other two year-old trial winners were Cadencia (Street Cry (IRE), Miss Demi (Commands) and Machismo (Uncle Mo(USA).
Click here for all the trial results.
The Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale next month will feature two yearlings by Frankel, whose first crop took Europe by storm last year and also produced the Japanese Group I winner Soul Stirring.
They are Lot 102 from Strawberry Hill Stud, the half-brother to Group I winner Fenway and Group III winner War from Deedra; and Lot 210 from Glastonbury Farms, a colt from Giant's Causeway stakes-winner Lovetorn.
