What a fascinating race to kick off proceedings at Rosehill on Saturday with the admirable blue-collar filly Lady Banff once again threatening to see off a field of bluebloods over 1100m.
The full-proof daughter of Top Echelon has won three of her five starts but she faces a bevy of youngsters that have impressed at their only start.
The one the market likes is the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained colt North Pacific.
Big-spending Orbis Bloodstock signed for 30 yearlings in 2019 for a spend of $12,360,000 at an average of 412,000.
They included five that came at a cost of $1 million or more at the Easter Yearling Sale.
Only one of those five has started, the $1.1 million Not A Single Doubt colt Doubtland who has won his only two starts to date including the Group III Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick in April.
Just behind the million-dollar quintet was the Brazen Beau colt North Pacific. He was the fourth horse led into the ring at the 2019 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where he made $800,000, which stood as the high mark at the completion of the sale.
Consigned by Bhima Thoroughbreds on behalf of his breeder David Gillies, the stunning son of Brazen Beau sold himself on looks.
Orbis Bloodstock’s Paul King said at the time: “This was the best colt in the sale. We wanted to take the best home with us, and we’re doing that so we’re very happy.”
North Pacific is the fourth foal of the unraced O’Reilly mare Up In Lights whose first two to the track have not set the world on fire.
A half-sister to 13-time winner and Group 1-placed Spin Doctor (Pins), Up In Lights is out of the winning Octagonal mare Love The Limelight who is a half-sister to the crack racehorse Metal Bender.
The son of Danasinga was among the best of his generation.
He began his career with Jack Denham for whom he won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas and Group 1 Rosehill Guineas and was second to Pompei Ruler in the Group 1 ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
When Jack Denham died, Metal Bender was transferred to Chris Waller and added the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes, Group 1 Doomben Cup, Group II Hollindale Cup and Group II Warwick Stakes on his way to banking over $1.9 million.
At this year's Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Robert Roulston purchased a colt by the Japanese champion Maurice out of Up In Lights for $100,000.
North Pacific made his debut in the Group II Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on February 22. It was a tough spot to kickstart his career.
The runaway winner Farnan would go on to win the Group II Todman Stakes and Group 1 Golden Slipper while the runner-up Global Quest already had the Group III Breeders Plate under his belt.
North Pacific clocked in an honourable third. He was not asked to contest the autumn features in Sydney with the stable opting to give him spell.
It looks to have paid dividends for the dark brown colt was very impressive when given an easy time to finish second in a barrier trial at Rosehill on July 3.
Third behind Rubick and Deep Field on the second season sire table, Brazen Beau leads the way for number of stakes-winners (5).
His supporters would like to see the son of I Am Invincible lift his winners to runners strike rate, which could be said of several other leading second crop stallions.
Hopefully, North Pacific can contribute to the cause on Saturday.
