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Cecil Street Lad ran out a strong winner on debut at Sandown on Wednesday

Cecil Street Lad ran out a strong winner on debut at Sandown on Wednesday to give his sire Bobby’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) his first Southern Hemisphere bred winner. 

Trainer Richard Laming knew he had a two-year-old of above average ability but was concerned with the Soft7-rated track for the Ladbrokes Handicap (1000m). 

"We were confident but if the track was a bit drier, I would have been more confident," Laming said. 

"He doesn't like shifty ground, so to the horse's credit, it was a good win." 

Ridden by Dean Holland, Cecil Street Lad ($4.40) scored a three-quarter length win from Seydoux (Xtravgant) with the $3 favourite Mynumerouno (Vancouver) the same margin off in third place. 

Laming said Cecil Street Lad was purchased for NZ$320,000 at the NZB Ready To Run Sale in and was the second horse he had purchased through those sales. He was purchased as a yearling for $55,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale by JC Thoroughbreds and was bred by Olly Tait.

"The last one I bought there had one start for me and was sold and hopefully this bloke will be just as good," Laming said. 

"He's a horse that has plenty of upside. 

"We paid a little bit of money for him, but it's worth it and he's got plenty to give." 

Laming said Cecil Street Lad was bred to be a sprinter, being by Bobby's Kitten, but was excited by the way the gelding handled himself under race conditions on Wednesday. 

He said with the early spring three-year-old races approaching, there was plenty of options in the coming weeks for Cecil Street Lad. 

"He's bred to be a sprinter, so we'll keep him to the short distances," Laming said. 

"But the way he relaxed there and finished it off, 1200 metres won't be an issue. 

"We'll see how he pulls up. There's plenty of races coming up, so we'll just take our time."

Bobby’s Kitten, whose oldest progeny in Europe are three, is the sire of this season's Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) and Albany Stakes (Gr 3, 6f) winner Sandrine. Bobby’s Kitten shuttled to Twin Hills Stud for one season in 2017, he stands at Lanwades Stud in England.