Vinery freshman Press Statement sired the fourth 2yo winner from his first-crop when Equation cruised home at Kensington on Wednesday.

Racing for just the second time in an 1100m nursery, he ranged up to the leaders with a finishing burst that had jockey Tommy Berry promising the best is yet to come from the well-bred youngster.  “I have a pretty big of opinion of this colt and was a bit deflated when he was unplaced here first-up,” Berry recalled.  “In hindsight, it was a hot field and he got a bit lost on the wrong part of the track.

“He travelled much better today and didn’t lose his compass coming around the corner.  That first run switched him on and I was able to hold him up and then finish them off in the straight.  He’s a progressive young horse and will develop into a nice type next season.”

Equation (2c Press Statement – Purcentage by Onemorenomore) won by more than two lengths from Falcon (Not A Single Doubt) and Sharpshooter (Hinchinbrook).  He was bred by China Horse Club and cost Aquis Farm $110,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the draft of Sledmere Stud.

Vinery had sold his dam, Purcentage, as a foal for $105,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions National Sale and she won a NZB Pearl Series (1200m) at Avondale and placed in a LR Ryder Stakes at Otaki.

Equation is trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace and their Sydney stable manager Annabel Neasham is also looking forward to campaigning him as a 3yo.  “We may have raised the bar a bit high first-up in a Saturday race and he will take plenty of confidence from today.  They kicked up inside of him so it was a good ride by Tommy to sit back with cover.”

Maher & Eustace have prepared three of the first four winners by Press Statement.  Equation follows promising filly Incredulous Dream (Bendigo) and Vinery homebred Major Murphy (Wyong).

Champion trainer Chris Waller won the 2015 J J Atkins Stakes with Press Statement and is hoping 2yo colt Spokesman can emulate his sire in the highly-prized Group 1 at Eagle Farm this Saturday.  He races for Star Thoroughbreds and won at Canterbury and Warwick Farm before travelling to Brisbane.

Press Statement (Hinchinbrook) stands for a $13,750 (inc. GST, payment on live foal) service fee at Vinery Stud.