Aquis Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbreds high-priced Redoute’s Choice colt Prague bounced back from a disappointing sixth in the Group II Skyline Stakes at Randwick to book his ticket for next weeks Golden Slipper following his dominant win in Saturday’s Group III Bowermans Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Tom Marquand for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Prague took the challenge up to the leader Postcode on the home turn and kept up a strong gallop down the straight to give nothing else a chance.
The $1.6 million son of Redoute’s Choice defeated the lightly raced Snitzel colt Kumasi by one and a half lengths with the I Am Invincible colt I Am Swerving a half-length back in third.
Prague Tom Marquand - images Steve Hart
Prague won his first two starts including the Group III Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Randwick but lost some gloss following his defeat in the Skyline.
He will join his stablemates Away Game, Muntaseera and Cellsabeel in next weeks $3.5 million Golden Slipper.
“The two-year-olds can mix their form but it’s great to get another good winner for Aquis and Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who are both good supporters, and a great ride by Tom Marquand,” Maher said.
“He is a horse that still has a lot to offer. He is pretty relaxed and learning his caper each time he steps out and I think the back-up will be ideal for him.
“He is still having a good look around and flicking his ears about. It will be interesting to hear what Tom has to say but he is a really relaxed colt and backing up next week will be a positive.”
Bred by G S A Bloodstock, Prague was purchased by Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Aquis Farms for $1,600,000 out of the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
A half-brother to dual Group 1 winner and young Widden Stud stallion Stratum Star, Prague is the sixth foal of the lightly race Pins mare Purely Spectacular who was purchased by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock for $300,000 on behalf of Jonathan Munz at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Also, the dam of the multiple stakes-placed winner Serenade (Star Witness), Purely Spectacular is a sister to the Group 1 ARC Diamond Stakes runner-up Raid and is a great granddaughter of the champion Emancipation.
Purely Spectacular slipped in two seasons following Prague and was covered by Snitzel last spring.
