The first race on day one of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday went the way of the Victorians as Hugh Bowman guided the Starcraft gelding Property to the easiest of wins in the Group III Kindergarten Stakes (1100m).
Given plenty of time to settle, Property only had two behind him coming around the home turn.
The bay gelding was travelling so well, Bowman had little trouble beating the eventual second Condor Heroes to a run between horses.
From then on it was a matter of how far as the Robert Smerdon-trained 2yo streaked clear to win by three and a quarter lengths from Condor Heroes (Not A Single Doubt) who was three-quarters of a length ahead of third placed Sheika (Sebring). (photos Steve Hart).
Second behind subsequent Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy (Fastnet Rock) over 1100 metres at Caulfield when making his career debut on January 7, Property broke his maiden in style in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (1000m) at Caulfield on January 26.
He then defeated the high-class Pariah (Redoute's Choice) in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m) at Caulfield before finishing an even fifth in the Group I Blue Diamond Stakes, less than three lengths from the winner Catchy.
"As has been documented, he had some x-ray issues that stopped him from going to Hong Kong so we just backed off him at the stables at Caulfield and kept him there on the water walker and jogging on the treadmill," Smerdon said.
"He's got a three-year-old's brain and build so we're just relying on that to keep training and racing him and here we are.
"It's probably a big ask for a two-year-old to do what he's done but its testament to the horse's constitution, naturally his ability but also his constitution, to handle it."
Bowman believed the son of Starcraft has the scope to go to the highest level.
"He had excellent form, two wins and beaten in the Blue Diamond, which is outstanding. He ran an incredible race in the Blue Diamond," Bowman said.
"He handled the conditions well which was a bit of a question mark but he's a beautiful colt (sic) and I think we'll see more of him in the springtime."
A $130,000 purchase from the Amarina Farm draft the 2016 Classic Yearling sale, Property is the third foal of the unraced Anabaa (USA) mare Opalize whose dam Opal Fire is a sister to Group I Futurity Stakes and Group I CF Orr Stakes winner Desert Sky (Hurricane Sky).
Purchased for just $2,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare sale, Opalize was not covered for the two seasons following the birth of Property but was served by Newgate Farm's Sizzling last spring.
Property is one of 17 stakes-winners for Stracraft who started his career at Arrowfield Stud before transferring to Rosemont Stud in Victoria in 2014.
