Nathan Doyle’s decision to geld promising sprinter Funshow has been rewarded in spectacular fashion after the emerging four-year-old completed a winning hat-trick in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill.
Doyle admitted Funshow showed plenty of ability early in his career, but also enough signs to convince the stable that gelding him was the right move.
“Funshow was a rig but he showed us plenty,” Doyle said.
“I thought we will leave him a colt but then he got beaten a furlong in a trial so we thought better geld him.
“He was a big, dumb bugger early days so we had to be patient with him.
“But he’s building confidence with every run and he loves to bowl along in front.”
Ridden perfectly by Tim Clark, the $13 chance dictated the speed before kicking clear in the straight to score by 1¼ lengths. Sponars ($18) and Barking Mad ($1.70 favourite) dead-heated for second.
Well-backed favourite Columbus ($1.95) settled on the pace but was one-paced in the run home while also racing greenly.
James McDonald suggested the addition of blinkers could help Columbus fulfil his potential.
Funshow has now won three races in succession and boasts a record of three wins and four placings from just seven starts, with Doyle full of praise for Clark’s ride.
“He racked them, stacked them then booted away on the corner – he just out-rode them,” Doyle said.
Celebrating his birthday, Clark said the race unfolded exactly as he had expected.
“It looked like a race devoid of speed and he’s the type of horse that likes to sort of get into a nice rhythm and flow along,” Clark said.
“He’s building confidence as he goes through his preparation and is maturing all the time.”
Doyle also provided an update on stable star Churchill’s Choice, confirming the mare has returned to work following her winter spell.
The talented mare has already qualified for the The Big Dance after winning the Hawkesbury Gold Cup before luckless runner-up performances in the Scone Cup and Magic Millions National Classic.
“I think Churchill’s Choice has a good race in her,” Doyle said.
“What she did in Queensland, she was a million-to-one like the caller said, so her form to finish so close blows your mind.
“The Big Dance has the big prizemoney but we are also after black type with her.”
Doyle also confirmed Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes winner Hidden Motive has returned to work at Newcastle.
“We are in no rush with him,” Doyle said.
“He’s a Magic Millions horse which has good prizemoney for a horse like him.”
Earlier in the day, Richard and Will Freedman kicked off the new Sydney racing season in style when Attractiveness captured the opening Midway Handicap (1400m).
“We are on top of the premiership,” Will Freedman joked after the victory.
Sent out the $3.20 favourite, Attractiveness, ridden by Chad Schofield, charged home to defeat Krasina ($5) by just over a length, with Cape Byron ($6) another 2½ lengths away in third.
“She was strong late,” Freedman said.
“She has a good turn of foot like you saw there but I feel in three or four months time you will see a better horse again.
“I was never concerned about winning a Midway at some stage with her, I’ve always thought she had the ability to do that.
“But she is a late mature and a lot of those Kiwi pedigrees are like that so we are excited to see where she gets to.”
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