A second Group 1 victory in Melbourne could be on the cards for Gold Front Thoroughbreds owners Alan and Sue Olive with their homebred sprinter Acromantula.
The Perth speed-machine opened his black-type account in the LR Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday to open up the possibility of Group 1 challenges back at The Valley in September and October.
Acromantula (pictured) earned a trip east following his sixth Ascot win in the $100,000 Rock Magic Stakes (1000m) in the autumn. The Pearce Racing raider gave his Carlyon Stakes rivals something to chase while scorching over 1000m in 57.05s.
Co-trainer Dan Pearce said connections would assess their spring options after Acromantula runs in the G2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 9. “His pet distance is 1000m but 1200m is not out of the question. He was pretty well-suited today at set-weights and penalties. He was allowed to use his speed and got his own way in front.”
The Group 1 options at Moonee Valley are the $750,000 Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 29 and the $2 million Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 28. Pearce Racing ran second in the 2019 Manikato Stakes when their grey flyer Vital Silver (Wanted) was beaten three-quarters of a length by Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible).
Stand-in rider Craig Williams, who replaced Damian Lane on Acromantula, said the winner’s immense speed, coupled with his ability to rail, meant he was going to be awfully hard to beat. “He shaved the fence around the bend without becoming unbalanced. That was such an advantage. He’s amazing and is a really fast horse.”
Acromantula is a 6yo gelding by Champion Australian sire Written Tycoon out of For Your Eyes Only (Bletchley Park) who won 10 races topped by Listed victories in the Gimcrack Stakes, Ascot 1000 Guineas and Beaufine Stakes.
Alan Olive outbid several Eastern States studs to keep For Your Eyes Only in WA just prior to presenting the inaugural Gold Front consignment at the 2012 Perth Magic Millions. She had been a $23,000 purchase for Lima Syndicate manager Harvey Crossman at the 2008 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
She has thrown six winners from seven to race and her latest is a yearling colt by Vinery Stud sire All Too Hard.
The Olives claimed a Group 1 first in Melbourne with their homebred colt Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock) in the 2016 Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. He was installed as foundation sire at Gold Front and has sired four Stakes winners in his first two crops including this year’s G2 WATC Derby (2400m) winner Awesome John.
Awesome Rock will a popular choice for Westspeed breeders at a $9,900 (inc GST) fee this season after covering 108 mares in 2022.
