The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Trained by Liam Howley and ridden by James McDonald, Opening Address put the writing on the wall last start when finishing a close second to Red Aces in the Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Vase over 2040m.
He bounced out of that run and upped the ante again, forging clear with a furlong to run and going on to win by the best part of a length from Statuario, a first crop son of you So You Think stallion D’Argento.
James McDonlad believes Opening Address has much more to offer.
“It was nice to get the phone call to ride this horse,” McDonald said.
“He was either going to go to the Derby or this race, and I could ride him if he started here, so it worked out really well. Obviously we’ve got good connections with the Schick family and Windsor Park Stud, and I grew up right next door, so it’s nice to get a winner for them on such a big day.
“This horse is still learning his craft. He's probably a bit better than that. He's only scratching the surface. He just felt like he had plenty in the tank, and he was never going to get beaten from the 400m onwards. Even though they probably looked like they would come at him, he was holding them at bay.
“He's just got raw ability, and what he's doing now is just a bonus, because as a four-year-old, he'll come into his own.”
Opening Address was a $160,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase for Liam Howley Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Bevan Smith Bloodstock from the Windsor Park Stud draft and has the overall record of two wins and two placings from five starts with prizemoney just shy of $200,000.
The same purchasers, Liam Howley Racing / Bevan Smith Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock also took home the half-brother by Almanzor (Fr) to Opening Address at Karaka Book 1 this year for $60,000, which was a tip in itself.
“I thought his run in the Vase was enormous. He seemed to get forgotten out of it, because we didn't go to the Derby, but he freshened up really well and the team's done a super job with him. So I’m very proud,” said Liam Howley.
“Just walking in today was pretty exciting, especially having J-Mac on. For my family and all the friends who have supported the journey, it's just exciting. The amount of messages this morning was unbelievable, so to get a win like that with a nice horse is pretty special.
“He’ll head straight to the paddock now. He's done. Five runs in, and we avoided the Derby – we wanted to look after him, and he's returned the favour, so off to the paddock and back for a big autumn hopefully.”
Bred by Ben Kwok, Opening Address is the first foal of Royal Welcome (GB), a placed half-sister by Kingman to stakes-winners Haddaf and Lamar from a US female family featuring Group II winner Windward Islands.
Royal Welcome was a savvy purchase for Lionrock Bloodstock, snapped up for $120,000 at the 2021 Inglis Broodmare Sale when in foal to So You Think with Opening Address the result of the mating.
Opening Address is the 58th stakes-winner for So You Think, who stands at Coolmore at a fee of $77,000.
