The
China Horse Club celebrated a Warwick Farm victory on Monday with a promising
staying type by Sebring.
Two year-old colt Heliosphere was fourth on debut at Randwick over 1400 metres
at his first start last month and his trainer Gerald Ryan had no hesitation
stepping him up to 1600 metres for his second assignment.
The baldy faced bay led throughout and despite wanting to over race in patches,
he found the line like a tiger to hold off determined Foxwedge filly African
Rainbow to win by a half head with nearly seven lengths back to the third
horse.
"We'll see how he comes through this, maybe give him another run or just tip
him out," said Gerald Ryan.
"He's a nice horse in the making. Spring might come a bit quick for him, but
the autumn should be his time."
A $160,000 Inglis Easter purchase for DGR Thoroughbreds from the Widden Stud
draft, Heliosphere runs for the China Horse Club and was a successful pinhook
having been bought from the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale for $66,000.
He is the third winner from Group II placed Purrfection, a half-sister by Tale
of the Cat (USA) to Group I New Zealand Oaks winner Boundless from the family
of Group I winners Limitless and Veyron.
Heliosphere is the 14th two year-old winner this season for Sebring
who stands at a fee of $66,000 at Widden Stud.