Impressive two-year-old debut winner Madeenaty has shown she has the motor to match her price tag and co-trainer David Hayes has high hopes for the filly.
Madeenaty cost $775,000 at this year’s Magic Millions sale at the Gold Coast and will be aimed at the 2017 Magic Millions Classic in January after making a one-act affair of Sunday’s Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington.
In the first two-year-old race of the season in Melbourne, Madeenaty raced in the lead down the 1000m straight course and drew away from the 200m mark after Mark Zahra asked her to lengthen before easing her down late.
“We’ve got very high hopes. We really do like her,” Hayes said.
By Exceed And Excel out of multiple Group Two winner Set For Fame, Madeenaty was bought by Angus Gold for Shadwell Stud and Hayes said she was an outstanding individual at the sales.
“And it’s good to see the expensive ones step out like that,” Hayes said.
“I think he’s really hit the jackpot.”
In windy conditions, Madeenaty ($3.20 fav) defeated Double Jeopardy ($5) by 2-1/4 lengths.
Madeenaty’s stablemate American Genius ($26) finished another half length third.
Hayes said Madeenaty was the benchmark of the stable’s early-season two-year-olds.
“She’s been the fastest, anyway,” he said.
“We’ve got some nice ones but it would take a good one to beat her.
“Probably today is the first time she’s gone off the bit, so she’s had my lot covered pretty easily. And what I was pleased to see was she lengthened and responded really well when Mark asked her, in pretty testing conditions for a young horse today.”
Hayes said Madeenaty could have one start during Melbourne Cup week before being aimed at the Magic Millions, with the Golden Slipper also on the radar.
“Normally when you have a dominant one early, in our stable’s experience, they stand up right through. So let’s hope this is the case,” Hayes said.