Quickly building a cult following, Squid Game kept his record at a perfect two for two following a last to first performance in Saturday's Lexus Holiday Plate (1200m) at Flemington.
Given a patient ride by Michael Dee, the 3yo son of Shooting To Win, came down the centre of the track to overpower the Shamus Award gelding Umgawa by three-quarters of a length with the same distance back to the Shamexpress gelding Murrami Express in third.
Racing in the colours of Price Bloodstock, the bold striding Squid Game was a $150,000 purchase by his trainer, Patrick Payne, from the Inglewood Stud draft at the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.
"He was a bit slow away, which was a concern," Dee said.
"I preferred to ride with a bit of cover today. If we'd landed in front, it wouldn't have been an issue.
"He’s had a bit better experience today down the straight. He hit the front quite early and he began to look around. There was plenty to look at and he still had more in store.”
Squid Game is the second winner from as many to race out of the Keeper mare Macavity, a half-sister to Group 1 winner Velocitea (Volksraad), Listed winner Weaponry (Declaration of War).
Macavity is also the dam of the stakes-placed Maastricht (Mastercraftsman), who is the dam of dual Group 1 winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible).
Maastricht was purchased by Coolmore for $2,250,000 when offered by Newgate Farm on behalf of owners Alan Bell and Ananda Krishnan at the Inglis Chairman's Sale.
She was carrying a full sister to Loving Gaby, which made $1.2 million to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock/Next Level Syndication at the Gold Coast earlier this year.
Kia Ora Stud consigns a Maastricht colt by Triple Crown hero Justify (USA) to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.
Macavity has a yearling colt by Time Test (GB) and was covered by US Navy Flag (USA) last spring.
