Trainer John Thompson has declared Sookie and Aronson as Patinack Farm’s leading hopes to qualify for next month’s Magic Millions Classic as the pair prepare to make their debuts at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Patinack Farm will unleash its firepower for the $2 million 1200-metre feature with a total of six runners in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes and Listed Calaway Gal Stakes, both over 1000 metres.
Thompson believes Metallurgical’s brother Reflectance in the Phelan Ready Stakes is potentially the best of his young crop but feels the son of Redoute’s Choice may find the trip a shade short.
“I’m not saying he’s not an early two-year-old but when he ran third in a barrier trial last week he was doing his best work late,” Thompson said.
“He’s a quality colt and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him get up on debut but he’ll get better later on.
“I rate Aronson as our best hope in that race. Aronson worked with Reflectance on Tuesday morning and just shaded him.”
Aronson, a $100,000 yearling buy from the Yarraman Park Stud draft, was one of 15 two-year-olds Patinack Farm had in barrier trials for the first time in public at Doomben 10 days ago.
The son of Shamardal finished third, less than three lengths behind the winner Discreet in an 810-metre trial.
Thompson’s other Phelan Ready Stakes runner More Than Superb, a $150,000 purchase from Baramul Stud, finished a creditable third in a hot heat behind stablemate Nechita and Magic Millions Classic favourite Sizzling.
“He showed good speed in the trial but knocked up,” Thompson said.
“But he’s improved a lot fitness-wise since and he should run well.”
The Calaway Gal Stakes will see all three Patinack Farm fillies – Change Often, Sookie and Dysfunction – race in blinkers.
“Sookie was plated when she beat Snipzu in her trial,” Thompson said.
“But I still thought her win was super and she’s very professional.
“She’s by Casino Prince and not a lot of that breed have shown much as two-year-olds.”
Change Often is the only Patinack Farm runner with race experience after finishing fifth on debut to Military Bride at Eagle Farm on December 3.
“She was very green that day. She led and won a trial at Doomben last month but she panicked when she got behind horses in her first start,” Thompson said.
“I’m putting blinkers on her this time so she can focus more.
“Dysfunction was narrowly beaten in her trial but she hit the line strongly.
“She’s still a bit green but she looks above average.”
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