Racing
Knightsbridge impresses on debut – MM next
Promising first outing for another Waterhouse/Bott juvenile.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's representation in the upcoming Magic Millions 2yo Classic is likely to reach four runners after colt Knightsbridge won on debut at Randwick.
Knightsbridge ($3.20F), a $750,000 buy at the Gold Coast Yearling Sales twelve months ago, took out the Kia Ora Yearlings @ MMGC Plate (1000m) overpowering early leader Thyme To Go ($3.80) to win by one-length with the Bjorn Baker-trained Profitable ($3.50) a ½-length away in third.
After two trials before this run, a date on the Gold Coast for the $3 million feature over 1200-metres for two-year-olds now beckons on January 17.
"He got to both of his trials quite quickly this preparation and he still has good improvement in his fitness coming into today and that is good stepping up to a Magic Millions," Bott said.
Noting that the stable were conscious to leave some in reserve on debut, the picture worked out perfectly as the son of Farnan looked strong to the line.
"He's got a beautiful attitude and nothing worries him," jockey Adam Hyeronimus said.
"I was quite concerned pre-race with Final Gift and I stressed to the owners that I didn't want to be following him but that horse probably won us the race but pressuring the leader.
"We were always going to be strong late and he was."
Hyeronimus added that once Knightsbridge had the chance to stretch out further in distance in high pressure races that an even better horse will be seen.
Knightsbridge is a half-brother to Semana who showed her best over 1400m to 1600m among her black-type runs.
Knightsbridge is rated a $15 chance for the Magic Millions in a fortnight.
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