The Group III ATC Ming Dynasty (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday was won in exciting style by powerhouse I Am Invincible colt Holyfield.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Holyfield was a Group III winner last season at two and was having his second run back from a spell.
Not comfortable when resuming on a heavy 10 track, Holyfield appreciated the firmer footing this time and surged to the front for Tim Clark to control the race.
He led for home and was strong to the line in winning by nearly two lengths.
“Tim rode him really well, he was keen to get to the front and control it and then backed him off,” said Ciaron Maher.
“I always thought the Guineas (Caulfield) would be the race for him, but we haven’t worked out his exact program as there are a few options.
“We might send him down for the Guineas Prelude so he can get used to that way of going.”
An $800,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Segenhoe draft for Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Aquis, Holyfield has the overall record of four wins from seven starts with prizemoney topping $226,000.
He came out of the same draft as two other Group winning juvenile colts last season in King’s Legacy and Barbaric.
Bred by Segenhoe, Holyfield is the is best of three winners from Group I VRC Myer Classic winner Hurtle Myrtle and comes from the family of Golden Slipper winner Star Watch.
A top class daughter of Dane Shadow, Hurtle Myrtle was bought by Segenhoe for $1million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale back in 2012 and has been a terrific producer delivering a foal in all bar one of her years at stud since then.
Holyfield is the second stakes-winner of the new season for Yarraman Park’s champion I Am Invincible, who stands at a fee of $209,000.
