Good looking Flying Artie colt Giannis finished his juvenile season a maiden despite finishing second in the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes, but he is a maiden no more after kick starting his spring campaign with a stylish win in the Listed ATC Dulcify Stakes (1500m) at Kembla.
Trained by Chris Waller, Giannis was second in a recent barrier trial to his stablemate Ranch Hand, who was sent to Melbourne to resume and captured the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington just before Giannis was due to race.
Giannis confirmed that trial form, travelling just behind the leaders for Kerrin McEvoy before setting out after proven performer Tiger of Malay.
The Tiger fought hard, but Giannis stuck to his guns to win by a head making it a stakes race quinella for the Newgate sires Flying Artie and Extreme Choice. He has now won over $320,000 in prizemoney with a win and two placings from six starts.
“He’s always been a horse we have spoken highly of, but he’s also a horse that has needed a little bit of time so it’s great to see him come back at three and perform well. I think he’s got a pretty bright future,” said Chris Waller.
Giannis has entries for the Golden Rose, Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate, so everything is on the table for this most promising colt.
Bred by China Horse Club, Giannis was a $67,500 Magic Millions Weanling pinhook purchase from the Sledmere Stud draft for Rhys and Chloe Smith, who then passed him in shy of his $150,000 reserve at Magic Millions as a yearling and kept him to race.
Giannis is the first foal from Group III placed Fastnet Rock mare Palace Rock, a full sister to Group I winner Albany Reunion and stakes-winner Fast Dragon.
Sledmere Stud sold the next foal from Palace Rock, a colt by Hellbent, for $370,000 at Magic Millions this year and she has another colt to follow by the same sire.
Palace Rock is now in foal to another Newgate Farm sire in Russian Revolution.
Giannis is the second stakes-winner for Flying Artie, whose Group I winning son Artorius was second at Flemington on Saturday in the Listed VRC Exford Stakes (1400m).
Flying Artie stands at Newgate this spring at a fee of $33,000.
