A dominant victory at Rosehill has catapulted Tron Bolt to the top of J J Atkins markets, and his connections are equally confident the colt has the right profile for the two-year-old showpiece.
Tron Bolt set a record price for a horse purchased from an Inglis Ready2Race Sale when Hermitage Thoroughbreds went to $900,000 to secure him and that is looking like a sound investment.
An impressive winner on the Kensington track last start, the son of Toronado was arguably even more brilliant in coming from back in the field to take out Saturday’s Bookmakers Recognition Day Handicap (1300m), securing his passage to Queensland for the J J Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.
Bookmakers quickly reacted by firming him to outright $4 favouritism for the Group 1, and while that could change pending the result of the BTC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane later on Saturday, trainer Chris Waller’s assistant, Charlie Duckworth, said Tron Bolt had earned his place towards the top of betting.
“Justified, I think,” Duckworth said.
“His best work was through the line. Onwards and upwards and obviously the J J (Atkins) looms.
“We were just talking with (fellow assistant trainer) Darren (Beadman) saying it’s amazing for a breeze-up horse, they often get a reputation for being a bit fired-up because they’re having to use that as their sales pitch through the yearling market.
“He is beautiful and relaxed and he hasn’t put a foot wrong from the moment he arrived in the stable for his first preparation right through until today.
“He’s a smart colt and another nice one for Hermitage.”
Trong Bolt was a dual acceptor for the Sires’ Produce Stakes, but after barrier draws and an assessment of the speed maps, Waller opted to split his two-year-olds between Sydney and Brisbane, with two lining up in Queensland and Tron Bolt heading a team of three at Rosehill.
Apprentice Siena Grima rode him patiently from a midfield draw and Duckworth said they banked on the youngster’s ability to do the rest.
“When you get a few scratchings and you draw where you draw, you’ve just got to ride the patient race and trust in the fact he’s going to be good enough,” he said.
“He was ridden in a similar fashion last start, albeit this was a significant step up in grade, midweek to Saturday grade. But he is going to have to step up again so it will be an interesting test.”
Tron Bolt ($2.80 equal fav) scored by 1-3/4 lengths over Cormier ($2.80 equal fav) with Heatstroke ($26) another 1-1/2 lengths away third after getting loose before the race before being passed fit to start.
