Ocean Beyond and Deep Speed engaged in a two-horse war in Saturday's Listed McMahon's Dairy McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley with the waife-like Ocean Beyond doing just enough in the closing stages to open his stakes account.
Ridden by Harrey Coffey, the 3yo son of Ocean Park made it two from two after breaking his maiden at Geelong on November 7.
Coffey made sure Luke Currie did not get away with too many cheap sectionals on Deep Speed. When set to an all-out drive before the home turn, it was the powerfully built son of Deep Field that was the first to crack.
Ocean Beyond defeated Deep Speed by a half-length with a further three lengths back to Free To Move (Unencumbered) in third.
Winning trainer Daniel Bowman said he purchased Ocean Beyond privately after he failed to make his $60,000 reserve when offered by Ohukia Lodge at the 2019 NZB 2019 Ready To Run Sale.
"I liked him at the sale although his breeze-up wasn't impressive. He did a lot wrong, but I liked the animal," Bowman said.
"He had a bit of a throat issue, so he was passed-in. Waikato (Stud) was good enough to take him home and get him over it for a couple of months. Then we bought him and brought him home.
"We've known he was good from his first gallop. It has been just a matter of looking after him until his head is right.
"The race mapped out perfectly. It was our plan to follow Luke (Currie) across.
"It is great for Harry to get this opportunity. He shows he is up to it when the chance comes.
"We will probably tip him out. He is still very feminine and fine. He has got a bit of filling out to do so we will put him out at his owner, Billy Gee's farm. We will bring him back in the autumn and now his rating is up we can set a target."
Ocean Beyond is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the 4-time winning Pins mare frankly who is a sister to stakes-winner Keano.
This is one of Waikato Stud's best families. Frankly's dam O'Really (Centaine) is a half-sister to the champion O'Reilly.
Frankly has a yearling colt by Savabeel that will be offered at Karaka Book 1 as Lot 412 by Waikato Stud and was bred back to him last season.
Ocean Beyond becomes the 11th stakes-winner for Ocean Park.
