They may have been galloping 2,344km away from each other in distance, including a short 432km paddle across the Bass Straight, but Aristocat up in Ipswich and Toricain down in Launceston combined to give Melbourne Cup hero Americain (USA) his first Aussie double.
Aristocat was the first to salute over 1550 metres to break his maiden for local trainer and part-owner, Stuart Kendrick, whose enthusiasm and drive has seen him become one of the the leading trainers on the Sunshine Coast.
"I was really happy with his win today, as due to all the rain, the race distance was amended back to 1550 from 1700m. As the further the better for Aristocat, I thought it may be a bit short, but he did a great job to get through the wet track, and step up on the inside and win."
"There is no rush, and we have been patient. He is a very strong horse and quite neat, not too big and gangly. All his work shows that he just wants to stay, so the further he gets the better he will go.
A Swettenham Stud favourite, Aristocat was the very first Americain born on the farm in his first crop, so it seems appropriate that he has now put another first to his name.
Bred by K & L Investments, Aristocat was out of the staying New Zealand Tale of the Cat mare, Year of the Cat, a winner of two races over 2000. Sold as a yearling for $40,000, he was then an $80,000 graduate from the 2016 Inglis Ready2Run Sale from Nolan Racing in Benalla.
Aristocat was a very athletic colt that grabbed the attention of his trainer straight away.
"He was a sensational colt. Physically, well balanced, a great mover with good reign and length. He is a lovely horse, and with his staying blood, it has been very exciting to see him get to the races, and he hasn't disappointed," Kendrick said.
"He breezed up in a blistering 10.74 seconds over 200m and his action was a replica of father, hopefully also inheriting his terrific turn of foot."
Aristocat will now have an easy week, with possibly one more run this preparation to get him up to 1800 metres, before looking towards the later three-year-old races in the Brisbane Winter.
The second son of Americain to salute was Toricain who spaced the field in winning the second at Launceston under lights for Brighton trainer Royston Carr.
At only his second start, Carr was looking for a bit more ground for the leggy three-year-old chestnut gelding, after placing him in a 1400 metres first up, where he ran home strongly.
"Tonight we stepped him up to the mile and popped the blinkers to keep him focused and on song as he likes to have a look around, and he duly did the job."
"He is big, rangy horse, and he gives me every indication that he will train on and be a very handy three-year-old later in the season. He has staying ability and longevity, and as the years go by he will get bigger, stronger and better."
Royston Carr has been the long-term trainer for Toricain's Tasmanian owner and breeder Elizabeth Long. Almost a member of the family, Toricain has been with the Carr's since a foal, who have looked after all of his early education and breaking in.
"I have trained all of Libby's horses over the last 15 years, including his half-sister to win a listed race down here in Tassie. Toricain was out of her foundation mare, Chikka by West Quest, and with Americain being such a beautiful animal, she was keen to send a mare over to him. Libby's father had a few handy stayers in the early 60's and she wanted to breed a stayer of her own."
"He is off for a bit of a break now, but not for long. I will bring him back into work and have a crack at the Hobart Guineas over a mile in December."
With 4 winners in the last 7 days, Americain has a very promising group of gallopers out there to do him proud. Being extremely popular with breeders, Americain is an outstanding looking individual with proven International bloodlines, by the Champion US Sire Dynaformer, a son of the great Roberto.
Americain was a brilliant stayer with an exceptional turn of foot. Apart from his tough win in the 2010 Melbourne Cup, he notably had four Group 2 wins, two in the Northern Hemisphere. A victor in the Group 3 Geelong Cup, he ran a gallant 2nd in the Group 1 BMW Stakes over 2400 meters.
An exceptional value VOBIS stallion and nominated to VOBIS SIRES, Swettenham will be offering a special service fee for mares booking in the later part of the season. Call Brian or Rachel for more information on +61 357 942044 or visit www.swettenham.com.au
