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Game, set and match for NZ-sourced gelding on debut

Game, set and match for NZ-sourced gelding on debut

Squid Game  made the perfect start to his racing career when winning on debut at Sandown on Wednesday.

Purchased by trainer Patrick Payne out of Inglewood Stud's 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft for $150,000, the son of Shooting to Win made easy work of his rivals in the 1200m contest winning by a comfortable 1.25L margin.

Jockey Michael Dee was impressed with the effort and credited Payne with having Squid Game on point for his first trip to the races.

"He has had a few trials and looks like he has progressed from each trial," Dee said. "He obviously came here in tip top shape and is certainly ready to go.

"Today it was just a matter of how he began. He really jumped and swung into the bridle and worked across very comfortably. He basically did the rest. He travelled nice and strong and travelled into the straight well for me.

"I was able to get a really nice kick and I felt as though we were pretty comfortable on the line.

"I felt if he had got challenged, he would have really fought."

Dee predicted a bright future for the three-year-old gelding who would take plenty from the run.

"He is going to learn a lot from today," he said. "He has certainly got a lot of talent there. It is certainly onwards and upwards."

Squid Game is out of a half-sister to Group One winner Velocitea and Listed winner Weaponry, and also from the same family as Group One winner Loving Gaby.