Smart Bennett Racing 3yo The Thorncaster opened his 3yo campaign in the best possible way, dominating a small but good field at Wyong on Sunday.
The colt was last seen when down the track as fav at Eagle Farm in early May but had always shown Ciaron Maher and his Team he had very nice ability. Ciaron elected to spell the colt in the warmer Queensland climate and brother Declan did the colts pre training at his Gold Coast Stables.
After 2 good trials this time in The Thorncaster started at the short quote $1.85, with Zac Lloyd in the saddle, jumped well and was soon looking to lead but with another runner pressing on his outside Zac elected to take the sit outside him. Turning for home the leader kicked clear but when Zac released the brakes The Thorncaster quickly went to the front, eventually easing him down to win well.
Zac, who had trialed the colt leading into the race, felt although he settled well in the run he came on and off the bridle stating he was still learning. The CMR Team elected to scr from Friday and Saturday so Zac could ride him as he had so much faith in the horse’s ability and potential moving forward.
This was a really good win by a colt still learning and with so much more to offer whether it be this prep or in the Autumn.
The win took The Thorncaster overall record to 4 starts 1- 1- 0 – 1 with earnings $45,635.
The Thorncaster was a 160k purchase from the 2025 Magic Millions Sale from the very good breeders the Ferguson’s Bell River Thoroughbreds.
His sire is Leading 2nd Crop sire and Golden Slipper winner Farnan and his dam is the winning Sebring mare Rosa’s Magic. This is a family the Ferguson’s have nurtured with Rosa’s Magic a 1/2 sister to the stakeswinning mare Rosa’s Spur dam of very smart filly Members Joy who is in turn is the dam of stakeswinner Pure Elation, dam of the very good filly Hip Hip Hurrah. Another of Rosa’s Joy’s daughters left the very good stakeswinning filly Jennilala. This is also the family of Zoustar’s good sprinter Indian Pacific who was 2nd in the Gr1 Newmarket Hcp, Rosa’s Image, Cohort, Rosa’s Path and Rosarino.
Interesting the Ferguson’s purchased Bennett Racing’s winning Zoustar filly Elation And Joy, a 1/2 sister to Members Joy, online for 120k early last year. Elation And Joy will foal this season to Champion 1st Crop Sire Home Affairs and be mated this season to 3 time Aus Champion Sire I Am Invincible.
Congratulations to all owners and a big thankyou to Ciaron Maher and his Team for managing The Thorncaster very well and delivering a 1st up win.