An expensive price tag is no guarantee of success, but beautifully bred colt The Next Episode will be given an early chance to justify his value when he lines up in the $1 million Golden Gift at Rosehill.
A son of champion sire Snitzel out of multiple stakes-winning mare Humma Humma, The Next Episode was purchased for $2.8 million by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, briefly holding the record sale price for a Magic Millions yearling before it was surpassed the following day by a Home Affairs filly out of Sunlight that sold for $3.2 million.
The Next Episode has made an encouraging start, displaying an impressive turn of foot to win his most recent 900m barrier trial at Rosehill.
Maher’s assistant trainer Jo Gerard-Dubord said the brilliance seen in public mirrors what they have witnessed at home.
“He started his preparation in Victoria, had a jump out down there and they thought he was good enough to be sent up here,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“He trialled at Rosehill and quickened very well. He was still a bit new when he got to the front but he’s a lovely horse.
“He’s got a great attitude and he is very competitive. In his work, he likes to win. A lot of the Snitzels are like that.”
Maher will also saddle Exceed And Excel colt Artemex and Trapeze Artist filly Spicy Miss in the Golden Gift (1100m). Both are Rosehill trial winners and were purchased from the same Gold Coast sale as The Next Episode, albeit at significantly lower prices of $120,000 and $150,000 respectively.
Gerard-Dubord said choosing the stable’s top seed was no easy task.
“I’d like to say The Next Episode is because he’s the expensive one, but you can make a case for all three,” he said.
“They’re very different types. Artemex is very laidback and Spicy Miss is a filly who will keep improving as she matures but she’s got a lot of talent, a beautiful attitude and a big action.
“The Next Episode is a horse who will put himself on speed. He’s very competitive, he relaxes well and he’s got a very good temperament.”
If you’re having a bet on the Golden Gift, compare odds via the Australian betting sites list.
