Undefeated Ayrton to Target the Stradbroke

Mark Smith - Saturday May 8

While there were no stakes races at Caulfield on Saturday, plenty were willing to argue the most promising young horse to race on the day captured the final event on the programme.

It is hard not to get caught up in Mick Price's unbridled enthusiasm for the 3yo Iffraaj (GB) gelding Ayrton.

Ayrton (Image Grant Courtney)

The final leg of a 5-timer for Jamie Kah, Ayrton kept his record at a perfect three for three with a dominant performance over 1200m in his first start in 19 weeks.

Given an easy time of it over the final furlong, Ayrton defeated Curran (Night Of Thunder by one and a quarter lengths with The Big Easy (Written Tycoon) a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third.

The win earned Ayrton a trip to Brisbane for the Fred Best Stakes, which hopefully will be a springboard to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

"I was a little bit toey about the 1200m, but I wanted him as fresh as he could be," Price said.

"He has had two good trials. He is a good-tempered horse, still a bit to learn, but I think 1400m or a mile would be good.

"We have our little plan, which involves a trip, then that will be us for this prep.

"I'm not a big spruiker, I hope I'm not anyway, but I remember when we first had the horse on his first start, a couple of Hong Kong people rang. I usually say 'give me a figure,' but I said a plain no, it's not happening.

"I think he is one of the better horses I've had.

"The Fred Best in three weeks is a win and you're in for the Stradbroke. All being well, that will be us."

Ayrton failed to make his $40,000 reserve as a yearling - worth much more now

Bred by Greg McCarthy and sent to Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan, Ayrton caught the eye of bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo in a barrier trial. Purchased by clients of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Ayrton carries the increasingly familiar colours of Roll The Dice Racing.

Passed in shy of his $40,000 reserve at the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Ayrton is the second winner from as many to race out of the unraced Falkirk mare Odessa.

A half-sister to the Group III Eulogy Stakes winner Monterey Bay, Odessa died in 2019. Her final foal is a 2yo colt by Sweynesse.

Advertisment

Race Result - Darren Gauci Hcp 1200m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.08
1
Ayrton
- 3g Iffraaj (GB) x Odessa (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jamie Kah 56.5
2
1.3
Curran
- 3g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Tramell (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Ms L Tolson & Ms L Proctor Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 53.5
3
5.1
The Big Easy
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Sunday Chill (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 53.5
4
6.7
Snickerdoodledandy
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Crafty Irna (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
5
6.9
Yulong Command
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Prettyhappyaboutit (AUS) (Magnus (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Lachlan King 56
6
7.9
Crystal Chief
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Crystal Wit (AUS) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: D Moor 54
7
11.7
Shelby Cobra
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x Segenhoe Valley (AUS) (Dane Shadow (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: B Prebble 58
8
17.7
Haystacks Calhoun
- 3g Rubick (AUS) x Miss Haystacks (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Ms D Chapman Rdr: Patrick Moloney 54
9
21.9
River Night
- 3f Night Of Thunder (IRE) x River Pearl (AUS) (Helmet (AUS))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: Liam Riordan 53
More Reading...
Storyville Downs the Colts in G2 WA Guineas
The WA Champion Fillies Stakes heroine Storyville earned a shot at the Group 1 Northerly Stakes after she gave the colts a start and beating in Saturday’s $500,000 Group II White Claw - WA Guineas (1600m) at Ascot.
Kiwi Bred Ayrton Back to Best in Listed Weekend Hussler
The roller-coaster career of highly talented galloper Ayrton got back on the right track with a tenacious performance to win Saturday’s Listed The Big Screen Company Weekend Hussler (1400m) at Caulfield.
Yes Yes Yes Filly wins $100,000 Crystal Slipper
The $100,000 WATC Magic Millions Crystal Slipper (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday drew a competitive field of 13 and Yes Yes Yes filly Yes Queen produced a brilliant performance to score a dominant debut victory.
Golden Eagle on the Radar for Ayrton
Connections were relieved when the one-time Stradbroke Handicap favourite Ayrton opened his stakes account in Saturday’s Group III Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm and they now have the $7,500,000 Golden Eagle in their sights.
Gringotts Continues Kiwi Winning Run in $1million The Gong
Kiwi bred Gringotts continued his coming-of-age campaign with a powerhouse front-running performance under 60kg to win Saturday’s Group III A$1 million The Illawarra Mercury Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange.
Another Feature Win for La Crique
La Crique sprouted wings in the Pukekohe straight on Saturday to come from a near-hopeless position and win the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in a photo finish.
Kiwi Bred Ayrton Wins Listed John Dillon Stakes
Ayrton added even more shine to his outstanding record at Caulfield with a thrilling win in a photo finish to Friday’s A$175,000 Listed Evergreen Turf John Dillon Stakes (1400m).
Kiwi Bred Comeback King Globe wins Cranbourne Cup
The super-talented Globe put a troubled 14 months behind him with a powerful all-the-way win in Saturday’s A$500,000 Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m).
Barnstorming Win by Headwall in the Warra
The super-consistent Headwall reaped a just reward in the $300,000 Group III Snap Print Solutions Wollongong The Warra (1000m) at Kembla Grange.
Savabeel Stayer wins G3 Counties Cup
Promising stayer Nereus put his current campaign back on track when he captured an action packed Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m) on Saturday.