All
eyes were on Australian Horse of the Year Winx this morning at the Randwick
trials as she charged home for third to Mark Newnham's classy juvenile Diamond
Tathagata, but he was not the only eye catching two year-old trial winner from
this burgeoning stable.
James Cummings decision to take on the role of head trainer for Godolphin has
seen a re-distribution of the Gooree Stud horses that were previously trained
by Cummings.
One of those sent the way of Mark Newnham was two year-old Your Song colt Key
to Glory, who sped away from his rivals to win his 1050 metre heat by more than
five lengths in 1:03.2 seconds.
Gelded after finishing seventh of eight in his first trial back in February for
Cummings, Key to Glory has now won both of his trials for his new trainer.
He jumped fast for Glyn Scholfield to take up the lead and controlled the pace
throughout before skipping clear at the top of the straight.
Asked for a little more at the furlong, Key to Glory changed legs and found
another gear clocking 34 dead for his last 600, which was the quickest sectional
of all the heats run at this distance.
Mark Newnham might have only just made the acquaintance of Key to Glory, but he
knows a lot about his family having worked as assistant trainer for Gai
Waterhouse, who has trained so many of the good Gooree stud horses over the
years.
A half-brother to stakes-placed Tactical Advantage, Key to Glory is from Group
III placed Encosta de Lago mare Above Perfection, who was trained by Waterhouse
as was her mother, the stakes-winning Snippets mare Actress.
Group I winners from this family trained by Waterhouse are Romantic Touch, Laser
Hawk and of course the mighty $3million earning six-time Group I winner Desert
War, so Mark Newnham will have a lot of insight into what makes this youngster
tick.
Click here for all the trial results this morning including nine juvenile
heats.