All Too Hard unearthed another genuine prospect for the $10 million Magic Millions Raceday at the Gold Coast whilst also notching an impressive new winner for Marcus Jooste in South Africa.
His filly Sasso Corbaro returned to racing with an explosive first up victory in the McGraths Hill Florist Hcp (1100m) at Hawkesbury on Sunday. Trainer Kris Lees was going to start her first-up at Canterbury on Friday night but decided Hawkesbury was a better option.
Camped on the speed by Corey Brown, she gapped her rivals by three lengths clocking the last 600m in 32.95s. It was a second faster than any other final sectional on Sunday.
Lees had sent Sasso Corbaro for a break after an effortless victory at Newcastle in July when Brown made a far-sighted prediction. “She’s a lovely, lovely filly and will furnish into stakes grade filly when she returns from a spell.”
She’s on-track to fulfil that forecast in the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas-RL (1400m) next month.
China Horse Club bought Sasso Corbaro from Mill Park for $290,000 at the 2016 Gold Coast Magic Millions. She is from Morphettville winner Furline (Tale Of The Cat) who was also placed in a Nitschke Stakes-LR.
All Too Hard unearthed another 3yo with black-type potential in South Africa on Friday.
His promising stayer Overdose (Aus) broke the shackles with a four-length victory in the IL Services Plate at Fairview. Stretching out to 2400m for the first time, he let down under jockey Aldo Domeyer for an easy kill as a long odds-on favourite.
Overdose (3g All Too Hard – Gayika by Galileo) is trained by Candice Robinson for leading owner Markus Jooste. Bred by Kia Ora Stud, he was a bargain $25,000 buy at the 2016 Inglis Classic Sale.
His dam Gayika is an Australian-bred daughter of Galileo and her progeny would appeal to the South Africans being a full sister to 2011 July Hcp-Gr.1 winner Igugu.
Robinson prepared this year’s July Hcp winner Marinaresco and she has given Overdose plenty of time to mature. He raced twice at two and resumed this season in a sprint before gradually getting out over longer distances at Kenilworth.
“He was very green and babyish earlier this year,” Robinson recalled. “He needed a few runs before featuring this season and we saw a much-improved effort over 2000m in October.
“We knew he would be finishing strongly again and he enjoyed the longer run-in on Friday.”
There are 33 All Too Hard yearlings catalogued for the Magic Millions Sale starting on January 10. His first two crops have been very popular on the Gold Coast selling to $510,000 in 2016 and $600,000 in 2017.
