The first race on the card at Newcastle Wednesday was supposed to be the coming out party for A$1.6-million Inglis Easter yearling Merovee (Aus) (Frankel {GB}), the first offspring of MGSW & MG1SP More Strawberries (Aus) (More Than Ready) to grace the racecourse, but the John O'Shea-trained Sanctioned (Aus (Teofilo {Ire}) didn't get the memo and prevailed at the New South Wales course by 1 1/2 lengths in the 1200-metre contest (Video). Tabbed a 7-1 chance and ridden by James Doyle, the chestnut colt was making just his second start, after running third of nine in a Warwick Farm affair first out Mar. 8. Rushing up to take command four deep after the first quarter mile, the Godolphin colourbearer crossed over to the fence and showed the way in upper stretch. Meanwhile, Merovee was trapped in a midpack pocket against the pine until the final 250 metres. Sanctioned stole a march on his rivals in the straight and accelerated clear to graduate in style over Our Mantra (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}. Merovee plugged on to take sixth.
Sanctioned is a full-brother to Malice (Aus), a MSW in his native land who ran second or third five times at the group level. His dam has a weanling filly by Dawn Approach (Ire).
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