3 minute read
Exhibition prevails in close finish at Randwick.
The Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Exhibition (2 c ex Haiku by Encosta De Lago) came out on top of a close finish to land the Magna Grecia to Coolmore 2YO Handicap (1500m) at Randwick and in the process became Coolmore Stud-based sire Vancouver's (Medaglia d'Oro) seventh first-crop winner.
Purchased by James Bester for $80,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the draft of Coolmore Australia, the two-year-old came out on top of a close finish to beat Angel Helena (More Than Ready) by a nose with another half a length back to Silhouette (Teofilo) in third.
"He's come a long way from where he was three or four months ago and if he can make the same sort of improvement then he's got plenty of upside," Michael Freedman said.
"It's our tenth for the season with a crop of 35 to start the season so we're pretty happy with how it's gone.
"We've got an even crop of yearlings coming through this year and we've always got room for a few more."
Bred by China Horse Club, the colt is out Haiku (Encosta De Lago) making him a half-brother to 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes (registered as the Ascot Vale Stakes) (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Japonisme (Choisir). Haiku was purchased by Coolmore and the China Horse Club for $580,000 at the 2016 Inglis Sydney Weanling and Broodmare Sale.
She is herself is out of Emulate (Sir Tristram), making her a half-sister to 2001 New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Tapildo (Rhythm) and Group 2 winner Plagiarize (Stravinsky).
Vancouver's first-crop also contains four stakes performers and he will stand the 2020 season at Coolmore Stud $30,250 (inc GST), having stood the 2019 term for $44,000 (inc GST).
