March 17, 2016 - GOSFORD, Race 1, Mdn, AUD $50,000, 1000m,
1st Dam: Vegas Showgirl (Nz)
2st Dam: Vegas Magic (Aus)
2st Dam: Vegas Street (Nz)
Owner: Fairway Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Fairway Thoroughbreds (Aus)
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse
Fairways Thoroughbreds homebred El Divino carried the burden of heavy expectations, being the half-brother to Australia’s top racehorse Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), MG1SW-Aus, A$4,096,925, but he came through with a flying debut success, securing ‘TDN Rising Star’ status. The bay colt, an impressive winner of a Randwick barrier trial last month, was sent off the A$1.70 (7-10) favorite and jumped well from gate four but was soon under a busy James McDonald ride to cross down onto the fence over turf that was listed as a heavy 8. El Divino traveled well on the turn, got a crack of McDonald’s left-handed whip at the head of the straight and lengthened clear to best chief market rival Long Juan Feng (Aus) (More Than Ready) by a convincing 4 3/4 lengths. “He’s certainly a very exciting colt going forward [and] hopefully a race like the [G3] Kindergarten [S., The Championships, 1100m, Apr. 2] might be a nice option for him,†Tulloch Lodge Racing Manager Adrian Bott told Australian Associated Press. The winning rider added, “He’s a very good colt, you only have to look at him to have confidence.†Vegas Showgirl’s 2014 produce, a full-brother to El Divino, is consigned by Segenhoe Stud as hip 135 to the upcoming Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Winx goes for her eighth straight win in Saturday’s G1 China Horse Club George Ryder S. at Rosehill. El Divino is the latest Australian ‘TDN Rising Star’ following Vancouver (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro), Rubick (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), Ottoman (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) and Weatherly (Aus) (Beneteau {Aus}). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, A$33,025. Click for the Racing Australia chart.
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