A return to firmer ground has been instrumental in the blue-blooded colt Horologist’s impressive maiden win at Warwick Farm, occurring as luck eluded stablemate and race favourite Quarterback.
Horologist, a $1.8 million yearling acquisition, is by the prolific stallion Written Tycoon and out of the dual Group 1-winning sprinter In Her Time. He enjoyed an unimpeded run along the outside to comfortably take out the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1400m) on Wednesday.
Darren Beadman, representing winning trainer Chris Waller, highlighted that the three-year-old benefitted from the drier conditions, having placed in his two previous starts on rain-affected ground during the winter period.
“Getting back on top of the ground was the key to him. Even though it’s a soft five, it’s a pretty good surface for all competitors today,” Beadman stated. “It was nice to tick that box and get him on the board.”
“He’s part of the colt syndicate with Coolmore and he’s out of a very well bred mare. I loved the way he put them away with such ease.”
Beadman mentioned that Horologist had shown promise as a juvenile but required time to mature.
With the confidence derived from a victory, he expressed hope that the three-year-old could continue to ascend through the grades.
“He’s not an overly robust type of horse. He just needed to furnish and have that time,” Beadman explained. “We gave him a couple of runs, tipped him out, brought him back and it has paid dividends being patient with him.”
“He’s always shown nice potential at home, but it was just a matter of having him strong enough to be able to compete at that level. That will help build his confidence.”
Ridden by Sam Clipperton, Horologist ($6) secured victory by 1-3/4 lengths over Master Chief ($101), with the winner’s stablemate Snitzel A’La Rouge ($26) a further long neck adrift in third.
One of Waller’s other runners, Quarterback, who started as the $2.35 favourite, experienced considerable difficulty in finding a clear run in the straight, only getting out in the final stages and cruising to the line untested, finishing seventh.
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