After recently highlighting the Vadamos (FR) filly Art De Triomphe, who has Zealand 1000 Guineas ambitions, Vadamos (FR) struck again with a colt taking aim at the Victoria Derby.
The Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained Rhinoceros broke his maiden over 1600m at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday when leading at every call under Jordan Childs.
After making his debut at Ruakaka in July, the 3yo Vadamos (FR) colt was making his third start in Australia. Following a fourth over 1400m at Cranbourne, Rhinoceros was nosed out over 1529m at Sale on August 22.
The Vancouver filly Blackcomb finished resolutely to be one and a quarter lengths back in second with the helmet filly Quite The Lass a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.
A stablemate of Saturday’s Group II Feehan Stakes runner-up Elephant (Shocking), and owned in similar interests, Rhinoceros will plot a path to the Victoria Derby.
“He will possibly go to the derby trial or something like that,” David Browne said.
“We will assess how he comes through this and make a plan.
“He has been a bit green, a bit keen and he has finally settled into his job now.”
Like Elephant, Rhinoceros is a homebred for Andrew Fowler.
He is the first foal to race out of the talented Lonhro mare Hot In Pink a half-sister to dual Group III winner and Group 1-placed Melt (Iffraaj), out of the dual Listed stakes-winner Ticklish (Maroof) who ran third behind Miss Andretti and Magnus in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes.
Hot In Pink has a 2yo colt by Iffraaj (GB) and a yearling filly by Belardo (IRE). She was not served last year.
Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp hero Vadamos (Monsun) stands at Rich Hill Stud for a fee of $12,500 (+GST).