Class prevails as Hinchinbrook’s Press Statement wins Caulfield Guineas

Perfect in three starts last year at two, including a season-ending score in the G1 J. J. Atkins S. at Doomben, Press Statement snapped a mini two-race skid with a three-length victory as the long odds-on favorite in Rosehill’s G2 Stan Fox S. Sept. 26 and was a warm choice in his Melbourne unveiling.

Drawn in stall 11 for this return to Group 1 company, Press Statement jumped right on terms and was cajoled along by Hugh Bowman to take up the running and crossed down onto the rail after the opening quarter-mile. Allowed to dictate his own terms from there, Press Statement began to edge right under pressure entering the final furlong, but was well clear and held safe to the wire.

“I made a spontaneous decision when the horse jumped and I’ve got the confidence from the owners and the trainer to make those decisions,” Bowman told AAP of the colt, who carried the China Horse Club silks. “I’ve only had a small bit to do with him, but to me he’s still undeveloped. I shudder to think what he might grow into.”

The winner’s dam is represented by a yearling filly by Street Cry (Ire) and produced a full-sister to Press Statement this year.

Saturday, Caulfield, Australia
CAULFIELD GUINEAS-G1, A$1,008,500, MRC, 10-10, 3yo Open Set Weight, 1600mT, 1:36.47, gd.
1–PRESS STATEMENT, 56.5, c, 3, by Hinchinbrook
1st Dam: Kaaptive Empress, by Kaaptive Edition (NZ)
2nd Dam : Nile Empress (USA), by Upper Nile (USA)
3rd Dam: I Assume (USA), by Young Emperor (GB)
O-Vinery Stud (Mgr: P Orton), Mrs G Muollo, A Muollo, C Hadjiparaskeva, Mrs F Hadjiparaskeva, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: A Teo) & Raffles Thoroughbred Racing (Mgr: K Yap); B-Mr T Muollo NSW; T-C J Waller; J-J Bowman; A$608,500. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-0, A$1,278,275. *1/2 to Pressday (Aus) (Domesday {Aus}), G1SW-Aus, SP-US, A$879,348. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Lizard Island, 56.5, c, 3, Sebring–Bourgogne, by Choisir. (A$95,000 Ylg 2014 WI Sydney Easter Yearling Sale) O-R M Anderson, Mrs D A Anderson & Mrs M E Hyland; B-Mr R Anderson VIC; T-P T Hyland; J-B Shinn; A$180,000.
3–Ready for Victory, 56.5, c, 3, More Than Ready (USA)–Crillon (NZ) , by Zabeel (NZ) . (A$240,000 Ylg 2014 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale) O-Eliza Park International (Mgr: M W Lui); B-G S A Bloodstock Pty Ltd VIC; T-M G Price; J-G Boss; A$90,000.
Margins: 1.8 len, 2.1 len, 2.4 len.
Also Ran: Sovereign Nation, Rageese, Bassett (NZ) , Tarzino (NZ), Tulsa, Bon Aurum, Snoopy, Dal Cielo (NZ) , More Than Most, Shards, Last Bullet, Odyssey Moon, Kentucky Flyer.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.