The win of Written Tycoon gelding Grande Rosso in Saturday's $100,000 VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham would have been welcomed by Redbank North/Huntworth Stud who will be offering his half-brother at the Magic Millions in January.
Part of a 4-timer on the day for Lindsay Park Racing, Grande Rosso came from midfield under Craig Williams to defeat Burning Front (Primus) by one and a quarter length with favourite Dan Zephyr (Danbird) a further length and a half back in third. (photo Darryl Sherer)
"We broke all the rules and ran him on the back-up in the $100,000 country race over Flemington carnival after he won at Bendigo," Hayes said.
"We learned he needs his races spaced and we've found a little secret to keeping him fresh. I think he'll race well every time we do that.
"I think he could be a good horse to follow but we won't race him too frequently."
Consigned by Redbank North to the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling sale, the son of Written Tycoon was purchased by Glenhuntly Lodge for $220,000.
At the time he was the most expensive yearling by his sire sold at public auction.
With his win in the valuable VOBIS Gold Bullion, the 5yo gelding advances his record to 5 wins and 5 seconds from 25 starts with earnings of $223,410.
Grande Rosso (pictured left as a yearling) is the first foal of the Rory's Jester mare
Another half-sister
Jestemma's yearling colt by Bernardini (USA) will be offered as lot 123 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale.
Written Tycoon has 12 yearlings on offer at the Gold Coast and 6 catalogued for the Inglis Classic Sale
