Aquis had a winning juvenile double at Canterbury during the week with Bellevue Star and Sauvestre and kept the winning run going when talented More Than Ready (USA) colt Saffiano took out the $100,000 Clarendon Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trained by Chris Waller, Saffiano was having his second start following an even debut fifth at Randwick earlier this month on wet ground.
He appreciated a step out to 1400m and a return to firmer footing to power home under James McDonald for a stylish head win after being held up.
“He’s a nice horse with plenty of improvement to come,” said McDonald.
The Waller stable won this race a few years ago with Zoustar, who then progressed through the Brisbane Winter Carnival to achieve multiple Group I wins at three.
“He’s a promising horse and we’ve just been taking our time with him,” said Waller.
“I think he’s going to have a bright future. When he got into the clear he quickened really well.
“Queensland is the plan for him, maybe a race like the JJ Atkins (Group I 1600m).
“The climate up there and the racing is the perfect springboard into the good three year-old races.”
A $600,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Newhaven Park draft for Aquis Farm, Saffiano is the first foal of Black Prada, an unraced half-sister to multiple Group I winner Appearance and stakes-winner Mascareri.
The current yearling from Black Prada, a colt by Fastnet Rock was sold by B2B Bloodstock at Magic Millions this year for $50,000 and she has a weanling filly to follow by Merchant Navy. Black Prada is now in foal to Snitzel.
Saffiano was the most expensive yearling by Vinery Stud’s champion sire More Than Ready sold in 2019.
