The
opening race at Caulfield on Wednesday was won in decisive fashion by progressive
Starspangledbanner colt Mr Individual, a $240,000 Magic Millions purchase from
the draft of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.
An eye-catching debut winner at Bendigo in June, the Leon and Troy Corstens
trained Mr Individual has mixed his form a little since then when tried in
stakes company, but looked thoroughly professional in cruising clear to win his
first try at 1600 metres by a length and a half.
He rolled to the front for Mark Zahra and travelled sweetly in the lead before
giving a good kick in the run to the line.
The most expensive colt from the first Australian crop of foals for
Starspangledbanner, Mr Individual was bought by Spicer Thoroughbreds, who also
bought and syndicated his sire.
A brilliant colt who won the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas and Oakleigh Plate
in the Spicer Thoroughbred colours with Leon Corstens training,
Starspangledbanner was subsequently sold to Coolmore and campaigned
successfully in Europe winning the Group I Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot
and the July Cup at Newmarket.
A dashing chestnut, just like his famous Dad, Mr Individual has now won three
of five starts earning over $110,000 in prizemoney.
He was co-bred by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds and Toby Liston remembers him
well.
"We bred and raised him here on the farm," said Toby Liston.
"He was always the best colt on the farm and sold accordingly to Brad Spicer,
one of Australia's leading syndicators."
A half-brother to Group I placed Fast and Sexy, Mr Individual is the fifth
winner and final foal of She's Alluring, who comes from the family of champion
sire Invincible Spirit and last season's dual Group I winning juvenile Pride of
Dubai.