Promising colt Scary is delivering on the promise he showed trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne from the time he entered their Pakenham stable.
The Group One-bound son of Rich Hill Stud resident stallion Shocking impressed his expatriate New Zealand conditioners with his talent and attitude and that has shone through this preparation.
Scary was unplaced on debut before he finished runner-up at Geelong, went one better in hollow fashion at Sale and last time out he bridged the gap to black-type company when third in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m).
The three-year-old’s performance at Flemington confirmed he was on target for a return visit in November and a crack at the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m).
“He’s a really nice colt with a lovely nature, just an uncomplicated horse,” David Browne said. “He’s always showed us a lot and we were pretty happy with his run the other day from the wide draw when we had no choice but to ride him back.
“He finishes off very well and ran the quickest last 800, 600 and 400m of the race.”
Scary will have his final lead-up in the Gr.3 Sportsbet Classic (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday week.
“He’ll go for the 2000 metre three-year-old race and then it’s two weeks into the Derby, as long as he steps right up again and comes through the race well,” Browne said.
“We don’t think he’ll have any trouble getting the Derby trip and he’s got a good turn of foot.”
Scary is raced by his Queensland-based breeders Brian and Greta Webb, who have an interest in Shocking.
“We’ve always had horses for them, they have been great supporters of ours for a long time and looked after us really well,” Browne said.
Scary is a son of the unraced Reliable Man mare Never Ever, who has an unraced two-year-old filly by Shocking and is due to foal again to the two-time Group One winner. Never Ever is from the family of Sir Vigilant, who won an edition of the New Zealand St Leger when the 2800 metre feature carried Group One status and his half-brothers Vizier and Bugatti were also stakes winners.