Arrowfield graduate Gold Force was a handsome debut winner of Wednesday’s $250,000 MRC Inglis 2YO Premier S.1200m (R) LR at Mornington for his Western Australian owners Rob Mitchell, Nick Giorgetta, Geoff Evans & Wayne Forrest and trainers Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes.
The son of Flying Spur gathered speed quickly after a slow getaway to lead, and then accelerated in the straight to score by almost three lengths.
Gold Force was purchased by well-known Western Australian agent John Chalmers for $140,000 from Arrowfield’s draft at the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.
Gold Force is the second foal of Blue Note, a Falbrav daughter of Synaethesia, which makes him a three-quarter brother to the outstanding multiple Group 1 winner Mentality, also trained by John Hawkes.
Like Mentality, Gold Force is a strapping, eye-catching chestnut and after today’s effort, jockey Craig Williams was enthusiastic about his prospects.
“He’s an exciting horse and has got so much upside. Whatever he does now is a bonus because he’s definitely going to be a lovely three-year-old.”
The previous two winners of the Inglis Premier, Twilight Royale and Arrowfield graduate Snitzerland, both graduated to victories at Group 2 level.
Gold Force is the second stakes performer to emerge from Arrowfield’s 2013 Melbourne Sale consignment, following Star Thoroughbreds’ filly Donelle (Not A Single Doubt-Avarice), second in the MVRC Inglis Banner 2YO S. (R) LR last October.
Another Arrowfield-sold member of Gold Force’s family, Hold Your Tongue (Stratum-Weekend Gossip by Hussonet from Synaesthesia), will line up in Saturday’s $232,000 WATC Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic (R) LR, after winning his first start last month.
Gold Force is also the 91st stakeswinner for the marvellous, now-retired champion sire Flying Spur, enjoying yet another fine season in Australia where his 66 winners and $2.6 million prizemoney is keeping him among the top 20 sires.
Arrowfield and the Hawkes family had further reasons to celebrate today, with 3YO filly Lorna May and 5YO gelding Revengeful (both by Redoute’s Choice) winning at Randwick for the stable, and Hall of Famer John Hawkes marking his 65th birthday.
Arrowfield will offer a half-brother to Gold Force, by All American, at the 2014 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. The catalogue also includes six colts and four fillies from Flying Spur’s final crop.