Pure Mac won the first of a half-dozen maiden races staged at Bunbury on Thursday and there was an added bonus for Gold Front owner-breeders Alan and Sue Olive when he led home a Maschino quinella from the $2.60 favourite Poppy’s Roses.
A $9,700 Westspeed bonus boosted his overall share from the Breathe Accounting Maiden (1705m) to $23,400 and there will be another dividend when Gold Front sells his Marine One half-brother at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale this Friday.
Pure Mac was racing further than a mile for the first time at his sixth start and was eager to go faster for Shaun McGruddy who had his hands full outside a moderate tempo set by Champagne Victory (Long Leaf).
McGruddy went for home at the top of the straight and the well-built chestnut kept lifting to grind out a narrow victory. “He’s been working well at home and that will help his confidence,” Gold Front foreman Matt Herbert said. “We will step him up to 2000m next start and all going well he could even be a WA Derby horse!”
It was a milestone result for McGruddy who reached a career total of 1,500 wins on Pure Mac. “He’s a nice-striding horse and is looking for a longer trip. He’s still inexperienced and had no idea in front after the leader stopped at the 600m.”
Alwyn Park resident Maschino sired him from Prue (Slater) who was a two-time Ascot winner up to 2100m. She hails from a black-type family developed by Newhaven Stud over several generations going back to Group 3 VATC Tranquil Star Stakes winner Shackle (Luskin Star).
There’s also a WA link through Testamezzo (Testa Rossa) who won a RL Magic Millions 3yo Trophy (1200m) and LR Raconteur Stakes (1500m) for Pearce Racing in 2014.
Prue has foaled colts by Mogumber Park sire Marine One (Capitalist) in the last two seasons and the first of them has been catalogued as Lot 255 by Gold Front at this week’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale. “They’re lovely-natured with good bone and good looks,” Sue Olive said. “Hopefully, they run as good as they look!”
