Press Statement has unearthed another galloper with Group 1 potential of the eve of the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
The Vinery sire’s NZ-based colt Ansu looked a real professional on debut clocking a quick 56.96s in the Jackson Street Bar Maiden Plate (1000m) at Tauherenikau on Saturday.
Ansu (2c Press Statement – Barely Brown by Big Brown) sat outside the speed before dashing clear to register a comfortable victory under Johnathan Parkes. He was bred by Rob & Kim Watson at Ballygrove Stud in the Upper Hunter and was pin-hooked for $36,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale.
“The agents starting ringing straight after the win so I will discuss our options with the owners,” trainer Peter Didham said. ““He’s a nice scopey horse that fits the profile of a race like the (Group 1) Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in March.
“Johnnie said he pricked his ears near the finish on Saturday and did it quite easily.”
Ansu has a yearling full-sister by Press Statement at Ballygrove Stud and Rob Watson is tossing up whether to nominate her for the Scone Sale in May or the Magic Millions National Sale in June.
“Either way, it would be nice to have a Group 1 update in the catalogue,” he said. “Ansu had a bit of an attitude when I started prepping him for last year’s Classic Sale but he eventually came around. He was a strong-willed colt with plenty of heart and I knew he would be extra good if he could gallop.”
Their dam Barely Brown is from a half-sister to Group 1 winner Onemorenomore (AJC Champagne Stakes).
Murralla studmaster Tim Nolan sold Ansu (as agent) for the Watsons and he will also present their chestnut filly by Vinery sire Star Turn from Imaginative (Lot 389) at the Gold Coast Magic Millions next Wednesday.
Imaginative (Bianconi) is a half-sister to Old Comrade (Australian Cup Gr.1) and she’s a proven producer with winners like More Than Ready sprinter Creative Hero (WA Challenge Stakes LR).
“She’s an athlete and will scoot along,” Watson predicted. “She’s a compact type and will keep developing into a lovely filly.
“I like Star Turn. We bred a first-crop filly by him from our mare Costa Laquetta (Written Tycoon) and I’ve heard she’s showing above-average ability with Brett Cavanough.”
Meanwhile, Press Statement has Baby Wong primed for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic RL on Saturday week, January 16. He’s on the fourth-line in pre-post markets at $11.
Press Statement has two fillies and a colt catalogued by Baramul Stud at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale next week plus a filly from Aspidistra (Duporth) on account of Tartan Fields.
His consignment to the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in February includes a half-sister to Headlander (Lot 801). The Kelly Schweida-trained 2yo colt won first-up at the Sunshine Coast on December 27.
