Last seen winning the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas in the spring, star Hinchinbrook colt Press Statement returned to win the Group II ATC Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday making for a high profile winning double for the China Horse Club, whose colours were also carried to victory by top class mare First Seal in the Group II ATC Millie Fox Stakes. The Chris Waller trained Press Statement was favourite for the 1400 metre contest and was always travelling like a winner for Hugh Bowman before surging clear to win by more than two lengths. “He’s a pretty special horse,” Waller said. “He shows that at the start of his races and the end of his races. “Barrier eight can be a sticky barrier but he took bad luck out of the equation and got straight into a good position. Switched off and settled then did it at the end. “He is a professional. He seems foolproof.” Waller said Press Statement would follow the logical path to the $1 million Group I ATC Randwick Guineas (1600m) in a fortnight when he will attempt to become the first three-year-old colt since Octagonal to win a Group I at two, in the spring of the three-year-old season and the autumn. “He’s come back about 10 kilos heavier, he’s not fat, so that tells me he’s strong,” Waller said. “Randwick Guineas is firmly in his sights next and then we’ll go from there.” Bred by Waller stable client Tony Muollo, who also bred and raced Group I winner Hawkspur, Press Statement was sold at the end of his two year-old season as a stallion prospect and now runs for a syndicate that includes Vinery Stud and China Horse Club, in whose colours he runs. He has the impressive record of six wins and a second from eight starts with prizemoney topping $1.5 million. A half-brother to Group I winner Pressday, Press Statement is the fourth winner for Kaaptive Empress, a half-sister to the dam of Group I winner The Mighty Lions, the dam of Group III winner Vaquera. Kaaptive Empress produced a full sister to Press Statement last spring and is back in foal to his sire Hinchinbrook. A three-quarter brother by Fastnet Rock to Snitzel, Hinchinbrook was the Champion First Season Sire for 2014/2015 and is now leading the Australian Second Season Sires List by earnings. He has 11 entries for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale starting next weekend.
