Second in the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas in 2020, it’s been a long time between drinks for talented Deep Field stallion Aysar, who finally claimed a Black Type victory when taking out the Listed MVRC Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Trained by the Lindsay Park team of Ben and JD Hayes, Aysar has never lacked for talent, but the half-brother to dual Group I winning sprinter Home Affairs has struggled to put wins on the board.
Sporting blinkers, Aysar was always in contention for Michael Dee and finished off his race well to win by a length over Shamus Award mare Enchanted Heart, who was having her first start for new owners Yulong after being purchased through Inglis Digital for $295,000.
“He looks fantastic, he's a very good physical specimen and I'd just like to thank the ownership group - Luke Vandersluys from Leneva Park - they've been so supportive and he hasn't been the most easy horse to train. He is a little bit quirky,” said JD Hayes.
Aysar had been close to being gelded, but as a half-brother to Home Affairs from the family of last season’s champion first crop sire Russian Revolution, he has tremendous worth as a stallion prospect.
"He was starting to run out of chances and I think he knew what was on the table there, it would have been his manhood, so he really performed how he works at home,” JD Hayes added.
"He does have a terrific motor out there and it was just good to see him put them to the sword today.”
Aysar has the overall record of three wins and five placings from 20 starts with prizemoney topping $700,000 and was fourth in the Group I MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last year.
Winning rider Michael Dee believes Aysar can be a force in the race again this year.
"He's clearly got the talent, he's got good talent, so if he takes confidence and improvement out of today I don't see why if he put his best foot forward he wouldn't be competitive in a Rupert Clarke,” he said.
Bred by Torryburn Stud, Aysar was a $260,000 Magic Millions purchase for Shadwell with a new ownership group taking over the colt when Shadwell sold all of their Australian bloodstock interests.
He is the second stakes-winner for Miss Interiors, a winning half-sister by Flying Spur to dual Group I winner Russian Revolution and Group III winner Turbo Miss.
Torryburn Stud sold a Dundeel colt from Miss Interiors at Inglis Easter this year for $540,000 to Phil Cataldo Bloodstock. Miss Interiors has a yearling filly by Dundeel and is due to foal to Home Affairs sire I Am Invincible.
Aysar is the 17th stakes-winner for Deep Field, who had a good day at the office with smart mare Sneaky Paige winning at Randwick, while in New Zealand his first starter Mr Mojo Risin’ was second in the Listed Wanganui Guineas.
Deep Field stands at Newgate Farm a fee of $88,000.