Gold Bullion
Gold Bullion delivered an early Christmas present to China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, Go Bloodstock et al with his gritty win in the AUD200,000 Seven Members Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm in Queensland, Australia.
It was a timely return to the winners’ circle for Gold Bullion who was second up in a preparation that will zero in on the lucrative Magic Millions race day. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trainee will arrive at the Magic Millions via the AUD500,000 The Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast on 4th January.
“It was fantastic to see Gold Bullion back in the winner’s circle,” said Mike Smith, China Horse Club’s Australian Representative.
“A step up in trip saw him back to his best and a lack of pace allowed him to control things up front and he showed his trademark toughness in the finish.
“The Wave is up next for him over 1800m and I imagine he will face a similar field. The extra distance will only help him as we march towards the Magic Millions.”
Jockey Regan Bayliss left nothing to chance, firing his charge out of the stalls and claiming the lead on the fence. He controlled the pace through the contest but had work to do to fend off a wall of rivals that continued to snap at his heels down the straight.
“It was a really good tough win. We got a lovely lead and [Gold Bullion] got into a beautiful rhythm for me and I just upped the tempo from the 600m and tried to get them chasing a little bit,” Bayliss said.
“Junipal headed me with 100m to go, but to my guy’s credit he pinned the ears back and hit the line strongly.
“[Gold Bullion] was only second-up today and I think at his next start he will step out to 1800m which will suit him even better. He has come back a lot better this preparation and the sky is the limit.”
On the same programme, the China Horse Club / SF Bloodstock / Matthew Sandblom bred Cannonball lifted his prizemoney to almost AUD600,000 when claiming the AUD200,000 Listed Falvelon Stakes.
Cannonball was sold through the Magic Millions auction ring as was his older brother Marine One (G2). The China Horse Club bred Ozzmosis (G1) and Revolutionary Miss (G2) were also offered at the Gold Coast as yearlings while Equation (Listed) was sold as a weanling.