Red Sun Sensation was rated one of the leading 3yo stayers in Melbourne and Adelaide in 2022-23 and he gave Avon Valley racegoers a glimpse of that ability with a second-up victory in the LR Northam Cup (1600m) on Sunday.
The Awesome Rock gelding was previously prepared by Peter Moody and won the G3 Chairmans Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville for the Hall Of Fame trainer before returning home to Gold Front Thoroughbreds owner-breeders Alan and Sue Olive.
He was bursting to break through following a previous campaign that included Listed placings at Ascot in the Luckygray Stakes (1800m), Alan Scahill Cup (2200m) and Detonator Stakes (1800m).
Red Sun Sensation (Photo / Western Racepix) took over in front after a furlong before finding another gear in the straight for Pat Carberry to defeat Multinational (Zoustar) by three-quarters of a length.
“It’s wonderful and I’m still shaking,” Sue Olive said. “I was sure he would be hard to beat if he ran as well as he looks
“We planned to sit outside the leader but Patty was positive knowing he had enough horse to take the field on. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with him earlier this year so we tipped him out and stuck to the basics when he came back in.
“He’s a remarkable horse and is so easy to train. I’m not sure where we go from here but it could be the Luckygray Stakes next month.” Red Sun Sensation had won his maiden at Geelong as an early-season 3yo and Sunday’s winning purse sent his career earnings through $500,000.
“Sue is happy for me do my own thing and he jumped so well I just let him roll forward,” Carberry said. “He got into a rhythm and travelled. I cuddled him and then kicked clear.”
Red Sun Sensation’s dam Society Gal (Faltaat) is a Gold Front favourite having also foaled LR Belmont Oaks winner Chili Is Hot (Gingerbread Man) and Rock Fest (Awesome Rock) who was a TBWA Winner Of The Week in August.
She has a 2yo colt by Awesome Rock and foaled another colt by him last month.
Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock) was bred and raced by the Olives to win the G1 VRC Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. His first five crops have a 61% winning strike-rate headed by Group winners Awesome John (WA Derby), Searchin’ Roc’s (Champion Fillies), Own The Queen (WA Oaks) and Red Sun Sensation.
His rising star Watch Me Rock can join that roll-call with summer entries for the G3 Asian Beau Stakes, G1 Railway Stakes, G1 Northerly Stakes and G3 Gold Rush.
Awesome Rock stands for a service fee of $7,975 (inc GST) at Gold Front. For bookings or further details, call Sue Olive (0417 937 606) or Naomi Montuolo (0400 738 964).
Hoofnote: Gold Front graduate Boab Boy won the Laverton Cup (1600m) 15 minutes before Red Sun Sensation saluted at Northam. He had won the Leonora Cup a fortnight ago and was placed in the Leinster Cup last Saturday.
Boab Boy (Sessions) sold for $30,000 at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions and had won at Ascot and Belmont for trainer Brett Pope before eventually transferring to Goldfields trainer David Smith last month.
