A good-looking colt with a stallion's pedigree, Spendthrift Farm's Hualalai has the spring features on the agenda following a bloodless win in Saturday's Pro Rata ATC Membership On Sale Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
The son of Street Cry (IRE) was given the run of the race, one out, one back by Hugh Bowman before finishing strongly under a minimum of urging.
He defeated the Paul Perry-trained Condor (Fastnet Rock) by one and a quarter lengths with Gerald Ryan's Heliosphere (Sebring) a half-length back in third.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt advanced his record to two wins and a second from five starts with earnings of $119,800.
"I think the blinkers were the key. He put himself into the race and he switched off nicely," Bott said.
"He was able to finish off and was strong through the line. There's still a few things for him to put together, and there's a lot of improvement to come.
"I think he will be a nice colt, particularly when we get him over a bit further."
Bott said the Street Cry (IRE) colt has the potential to be a contender for the Group I Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in the spring.
"Whether we keep him going now or give him a quick little freshen-up, I'll have to talk it over with Gai tonight," Bott said.
Bowman said the best is yet to come for Hualalai.
"He's still very raw at the moment but once he puts it all together I think he can make the improvement necessary for a race like the Guineas," Bowman said.
"I think he's got a lot more to offer than what you're seeing. He's still a baby.
"Physically he's there; mentally he's a bit of a way off."
Consigned by Gerry Harvey's Baramul Stud to the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Hualalai was knocked down to the Spendthrift Australia Syndicate for $625,000.
He is the second foal of Encosta de Lago's 2011 Group I ATC Coolmore Classic heroine Aloha.
From Bruce McHugh's famous 'Tennessee' family, Aloha is out of the stakes-winning Danehill mare Tennessee Midnight a half-sister to Malaguerra (Magnus) the winner of the Group I VRC Darley Classic and Group I BRC BTC Cup.
Aloha has a weanling filly by I Am Invincible and was bred back to Sebring last spring.
The deceased Street Cry (IRE) has made a spirited defence of his champion sired title but will play second fiddle to Snitzel this term.
Hualalai comes from Street Cry's final crop. The son of Machiavellian may have been a bit unlucky not to make a two-state 2yo double when Evil Web was edged out by the promising Zoffany (IRE) colt Lone Eagle over 1200 metres at Caulfield.
