Sporting the famous cerise colours of the Ingham family, Fundido launched a bid for the Magic Millions Classic in January with a commanding victory in the opening event at Rosehill.
Despite scoring an eight-length barrier trial victory, Fundido ($2.50) was sent out second pick for Saturday’s Blackwoods Sidchrome Handicap (1100m) behind Darley colt Lyric ($2.10 fav), another impressive trial winner.
But Lyric had his boom lowered by the Chris Waller-trained Fundido, a son of champion Lonhro who was raced by the Inghams and stands at Darley.
A $70,000 yearling, Fundido is likely to have one more start before heading to the Gold Coast for next month’s $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m).
“We’ll plot a path to the Magic Millions,” Waller said.
“He was purchased up there and that win will get him into the race I think.”
Waller only committed to running Fundido at the tail end of the week after initially planning to trial him again before his debut.
Last season’s premier trainer, Waller said Fundido was the most precocious of his two-year-olds so far.
“He’s a natural two-year-old and I haven’t had many of those,” Waller said.
“He’s done the job today and he will take a lot of benefit from that.”
Lyric, who was coltish pre-race, took up the early running with Fundido camping off him.
Nash Rawiller revved Fundido up when the field straightened for the run home and he got on terms with the favourite before getting the better of him and racing away for a 1-3/4 length win.
Lyric was second, a long neck in front of Brave Soul ($16).
Rawiller said Fundido relaxed nicely in the run and he expects the form from the race to stack up.
“Once Hugh Bowman (on Lyric) showed his intentions to lead I dropped my hands on him and he came back underneath me really well,” Rawiller said.
“I actually could probably have gone too soon but I thought if I push Lyric here he might lose the plot a bit and not go through his gears.
“A few horses behind us were a bit green but I think the form of the race can be followed with confidence.”
The race wasn’t a good start for apprentice Josh Adams who had a torrid ride on Wyong galloper Santa Monica who missed the start badly then speared to the outside fence and raced ungenerously throughout.
AAP TURF
