Ayrton goes to the next level in style
INVARIABLY, Boxing Day produces a star performer on the racetrack, and 2020 was no different with the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable delivering an excitement machine in the Ken Sturt Handicap (1400m).
Having only his second start, Ayrton overcame a wide run early before streaking away to win under a hold from jockey Jamie Kah, putting 4¼ lengths on her rivals.
After the race, Price labelled Ayrton “a Group horse” and indicated that challenge could well come as early as the autumn.
“He’s a Group horse coming but he’ll go to the paddock now, and we’ll have a think about what to do with him in the autumn,” Price said.
On debut, Ayrton had set tongues wagging with a fivelength win at Bendigo. Punters were expecting a similar performance at Caulfield and, despite the son of Iffraaj stepping up in grade, he was backed from $1.65 into $1.55.
“Each race is a test. It’s a very big effort to go up in class and distance at his second start and to do that,” Price said. “I saw Teo (Nugent on Tanker) kicking up on the fence and three-deep for the first four or five hundred metres — he did relax midrace.
“But for him to work away and run that time, obviously he’s a Group horse coming.
“I thought it was an outstanding win.”
The horse’s immediate future is up in the air though, as the astute Price will take his time mapping out the gelding’s future. While Price believes the Melbourne autumn may come a bit early, that’s not to say the New Zealandbred galloper may not put himself forward.
“Depending on what he does in the paddock, I’m obviously not going to bottom him out,” Price said.
“He’s probably a typical Kiwi horse, they take their time to mature. He’s not got an Australian bright, shiny coat on him at the moment, I think he’s a bit ribby.”
Jockey Kah was full of praise for the three-year-old.
“He’s just raw talent at the minute. He doesn’t know how to quicken yet, but his stride just lengthens. That’s a sign of a good horse,” the leading hoop said. “He’s still doing a lot wrong. He’s sweating up behind the gates, he’s on the wrong leg around the turn, but once he puts it together it is very exciting.
“I said to Mick after the first win that this horse is going to be amazing over 2000m-plus.”