Boom horse Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) is back in the winner’s stall after a dominant display in the Gr.3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The three-year-old suffered his first defeat when beaten at short odds in the Gr.3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) last start, but on Saturday ran away from the field with ease to win comfortably by 2.75 lengths.
A spell now looks on the cards for the son of Iffraaj, with co-trainer Mick Price looking toward the A$7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) in the spring.
Price said he was happy with how Ayrton has improved since his last outing.
“The horse is learning, and I was pleased that at least he looked a bit more professional and ran away with it,” he said.
“Whereas two weeks ago we seemed to be waiting forever for him to put his head down and do something.
“After this I would love to put a circle around the best return to the owners, which would be the Golden Eagle. I think that would be the best race for him.
“But (that’s) to be discussed, and we’ll have a think about it.”
Ayrton sat just behind the leaders, before jockey James McDonald steered him into the clear, with the three-year-old careering away for an impressive win.
The son of Iffraaj relished his first start at 1600m, but Price is still unsure of what the best distance is for Australia’s ‘hype horse’.
“Somewhere between a mile and 2000m,” he said.
“I’m not sure past that, we’ll find that out.
“He’s got a good set of lungs, he’s got a good turn of foot for a mile and in this mile race here, we saw him travel strongly.
“He’s never travelled strongly because he doesn’t quite get it yet. But he’s getting there and I think a mile is beautiful.”
Ayrton was bred by Cambridge accountant Greg McCarthy, who remains in the ownership group after a private sale was negotiated by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo after the horse finished second in his only trial in New Zealand at Te Teko in October last year.
