Just seven days back, Santa Ana Lane stormed home in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap to give a timely reminder of the loss to the local industry of Lope de Vega (IRE) who failed to return to Australia after covering 144 mares in 2014.
That loss was hammered home again at Rosehill on Saturday when two foals out of those 144 mares fought out the finish of the 2yo Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens.
The heavily supported Toulouse finished the best under Jason Collett to defeat his Davis Payne-trained stablemate Silent Explorer by one and a half lengths with the favourite Ronstar the same distance back in third. (photos Steve Hart)
It was the first win from four starts for Toulouse who was gelded after beating just one home in the Group II Pago Pago Stakes won by Written By back on March 17.
Payne has enjoyed great success with the stock of Lope De Vega (IRE) and he believes Toulouse could be a derby horse next season.
"He was running against the best and wasn't himself so we put him away and gelded him and he has come back a different horse," Payne said.
"He wasn't coltish, he had a lot of blood issues, which we couldn't rectify so it was best to take them out.
"He's a big raw bugger and I think the further he goes the better. He will be a derby horse.
"Gee he (Lope de Vega) is a good stallion but they sent him home.
"I've had Be Like Dad and French Fern and they were all cheap horses and all did well.
Racing for a syndicate that includes Wilf Mula's Aston Bloodstock and Paul Whelan's Luskin Park Stud, Toulouse was a $50,000 purchase out of the Marquee Stud draft at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
He is the fourth live foal and the third winner out of the winning Carnegie (IRE) mare Skibo Castle a half-sister to the stakes-winners Murtajill, Bradbury's Luck and Sunset Run and to the stakes-placed Skates, the dam of the Group 1 winners Vancouver and Just Momente.
Purchased for $20,000 at the 2014 Patinack Farm dispersal, Skibo Castle lost her Zoustar foal last spring before being covered by Astern.
