Precocious 2yo colt Gasoline scorched the turf to set up a ground-breaking victory for Vinery freshman Pluck (USA) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The Kiwi youngster is the first winner by Pluck who stands alongside his sire More Than Ready at Vinery. “He’s an exciting horse and has been a natural since Day 1,” co-trainer Andrew Forsman said. “He’s always been one step ahead of our other two year-olds.”
Gasoline had been runner-up on debut at Te Rapa on December 12 and stripped much fitter second time out in the Coca-Cola 1100. Forsman prepares Gasoline in partnership with Murray Baker and indicated the colt will be spelled and set for the G1 Diamond Stakes and G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes. The colt has dazzling speed and should mature into a very nice 3yo as he looks capable of getting a trip.
Opie Bosson was very impressed with the winner who fought off several challengers in the straight to score by more than two lengths. “Gasoline is a really good horse, it’s a shame he can’t go for the Karaka Million,” the champion jockey said. “He’s got a very good temperament and I think he will turn into a great three-year-old.”
Pluck won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs and his first crop have sold up to $200,000. He stood for a $9,900 (inc gst) service fee at Vinery this year.
Gasoline (2c Pluck – Miguelita by Danehill) was bred by Melbourne based Todd Hartley who owns him with Lindsay de Souza, Doug Painter and Paul Vawdrey. They also race Group 1 winner Turn Me Loose (NZ 2000 Guineas & VRC Emirates Stakes).
Miguelita is a three-quarter sister to English stakes winner Miss Pinkerton (Danehill) and a half-sister to NZ Great Northern Foal Stakes winner Brocco Babe (Brocco).
The More Than Ready – Danehill cross has been a goldmine for breeders and that combination is also off to a winning start with Pluck.
Pluck’s second-crop yearlings begin selling at the Gold Coast Magic Millions in a fortnight – the first to parade is the filly out of Flying First Class (Lot 237). She is being offered by Southern Cross Breeders and her dam is a daughter of a Danehill’s Golden Slipper winner Flying Spur.
