Darling View Thoroughbreds stallion Patronize has a front-line classic contender this season in Rejuva King who completed a Belmont hat-trick in the Furphy Hcp (1600m) on Saturday.
The Dan Morton-trained 3yo defeated a field of older horses who were all off the bit when front-runner Castillo Del Lago went for home at the half-mile. Nevertheless, he was the one that knuckled down in the straight to nail Catalpa (NZ) with a last-stride lunge.
“He was a walk-up start in the 3yo race today but it was deleted and we didn’t have any other options,” Morton said. “He’s a proper racehorse and I guess the WA Guineas is on the radar now.”
Rejuva King (Black cap / Photo: Western Racepix) will be one of the leading candidates for the Group 2 Western Australian Guineas (1600m) worth $500,000 to be run at Ascot on November 19.
“He didn’t travel all that strongly but he knows where the line is,” in-form jockey Brad Parnham explained. “Although it was hard work getting there, I was always confident he could get the job done.
“He has earned a place in the WA Guineas. There are a lot of good 3yo winners in the State and he has the potential to measure up.”
Rejuva King returned to scale to a boisterous reception from a syndicate that bought him for $20,000 through the Western Breeders Alliance consignment to the 2021 Perth Magic Millions. He’s the first foal of Belavenir (Choisir) who has a 2yo colt by Maschino and a yearling filly by Lucky Street.
Rejuva King sent Patronize ($444,543) to the top of the WA Sires’ premiership table for 2022-23 while fellow Darling View sire Playing God is a close second ($434,300).
Patronize stands at Darling View for $4,400 with Playing God ($27,500) and first-season sire Splintex ($11,000). All service fees (inc GST).
