Pitted against a field that included Godolphin blueblood Reincarnate (the favourite) and Gai Waterhouse's much publicized Royal Ascot entry Cyrus Rocks, Press Statement proved a class above for Tye Angland, who had ridden the colt in three previous barrier trials.
He travelled well and cruised clear in the straight to win the 1100 metre restricted event by a length and a half over talented Snitzel filly Volante, an easy winner at Newcastle on debut on April 11.
"That was very encouraging," said Chris Waller.
"Tye (Angland) has always had a good opinion of him as have the stable back at home.
"He's a brother to Pressday (winner of the Group I BRC TJ Smith Stakes), who
was my first two year-old Group I winner."A homebred for stable client Tony Muollo, who also bred and raced Group I winner Hawkspur, Press Statement is the fourth winner for Kaaptive Empress, a half-sister to the dam of Group I winner The Mighty Lions, The dam of Group III winner Vaquera.
"He's a bit behind where Pressday was at this stage as he's still very much a baby in my eyes," said Waller.
"I think we'll have a lot of fun with him as a three year-old, so we'll probably look more to the spring, although I'll look to give him another run in a Saturday class race."
Waller did not completely rule out the Brisbane Winter Carnival, but conceded it was unlikely.
Kaaptive Empress has a weanling filly by Street Cry (IRE) that has been withdrawn from the 2015 Inglis Australian Select Weanling Sale on Sunday, which might be good move if her brother delivers on the potential he showed today!
She is now back in foal to Hinchinbrook, who has six winners on the board following Shining Brooke scoring at Geelong on Tuesday.
A three-quarter brother by Fastnet Rock to Snitzel, Hinchinbrook is now on an equal pegging with ill-fated Beneteau as the leading first season sire by individual Australian winners.
He stands this spring at a fee of $16,500, although his book is filling fast.
