A Group I winning son of champion sire Deep Field, Widden Stud’s Portland Sky put his first winner on the board at Ascot on Saturday with a dominant debut victory for talented filly Daryte, who was purchased by Guy Mulcaster.
Trained by Trevor Andrews, Daryte won a recent trial at Ascot so was well fancied on debut and showed a brilliant turn of foot for Willie Pike to race clear of the favourite Farnova, a Farnan filly that was also on debut.
Daryte chimed in at the 100m and was strong through the line bolting clear to win the 1000m dash by three lengths.
Daryte was a $55,000 Magic Millions Perth purchase for Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Scenic Lodge draft and is the second winner from I’m in Love, a winning half-sister by Fastnet Rock to stakes-winner Scrumdiddlyumptious.
Trevor Andrews is now plotting a course to the Perth Magic Millions 2YO Classic for Daryte.
“We weren't overconfident with her today given she was having a first start, but what she's done at the trials and what she showed at home is well above average,” said Andrews.
“She was selected and purchased by Guy Mulcaster, and he's famously known as the buyer of Winx, and he does a lot of the purchasing for Chris Waller.
“So a very smart judge picked her out from the Scenic Lodge draft at the sale last year and paid $55,000, so kudos to him and all going well, she'll go on to a Magic Millions.”
The target race is still a month away and Daryte is likely to have another run before then.
“I think so, as long as she pulls up well. She's still quite green and new. As you could see, when Willie went to ease off the heels, she sort of was a bit reluctant to come off before she balanced up,” said Andrews.
“Probably another run at 1100m would be ideal in a couple of weeks, then 1200m of the Millions.
“She’s a lovely type, a big scopey filly. I think she's the first winner by Portland Sky, so happy days.”
Portland Sky stands at Widden Stud at a fee of $16,500 and has several yearlings selling in Magic Millions Book 2 later today.
