Exciting young galloper Aeronautical emerged as the horse to beat in next month’s Group One Golden Rose after a stunning win in today’s $100,000 listed Rosebud Handicap (1200m) at Randwick.
Allowed to find his feet early, Aeronautical then produced a barnstorming burst in the straight to reel in the leaders and pull clear for an incredible victory.
The youngster is trained by former leading South African based horseman Lionel Cohen and when he won at his previous run it was Cohen’s first metropolitan success since basing himself in Sydney.
Based at Rosehill, Cohen is best known in recent years as the trainer of former champion South African mare Sun Classique.
Aeronautical looks the horse to put Cohen on the map in his new Australian venture.
In a scary thought, Cohen felt his charge was a little “under done” going into today’s listed event – the major lead up to the country’s first Group One race of the season.
Cohen trains and owns Aeronautical after purchasing him for $100,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bred by Rob and Rosemary Scarborough of Wood Nook Farm, Aeronautical was offered at the auction by Amarina Farm.
“I thought I actually might have had him a little under done to be honest,” Cohen told TVN after the race.
“I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. I just wanted to have him right for today – he was very impressive.”
“He’s never run a bad race and in hindsight getting beaten at his first two runs was goodsd for him – giving him the experience.”
“Things are going well and I’m really happy with her he is at the moment.”
“I was confident (today) but I knew he was a little under done. He was super impressive.”
Cohen said his wife Caroline, son Julius and daughter Abi had been great support during the Sydney move and all four were sporting big winning smiles after the race.
Winning rider Nathan Berry was a happy man after the race, knowing he is linked with one of the most promising young gallopers in the country.
“The best thing about this horse is that he doesn’t know anything,
Berry noted. “He’s running on raw ability.”
“He’s turning into a real serious racehorse.”
Berry said everything went to plan during the race and he was thrilled with the excelleration shown by Aeronautical when asked over the concluding stages.
“I sat out there for a while and he was travelling a bit better than the other day (when successful).”
“I got on the back of Nash on Queenian and they took me to the 350 and I peeled off his back and let him balance.”
“He was very dominant. I think he’s a real serious racehorse and Lionel has done a spectacular job with him.”
Aeronautical is the sole winner to date for the stakes performed Fusaichi Pegasus mare Moon Fever.
A winner at 1100 metres, Moon Fever earned black type when third in the listed St Albans Stakes at Moonee Valley as a two-year-old.
Moon Fever is from the Group One winning Centaine mare Stella Cadente – the Australia Stakes winner who is related to stakes including Bint Marscay, Bollinger, Kenny’s Best Pal and Filante.
Winner: Aeronautical
Breeding: Encosta de Lago-Moon Fever (Fusaichi Pegasus)
Race: ATC Rosebud Handicap LR (1200m)
Sold for: $100,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Amarina Farm (As Agent)
Buyer: Lionel Cohen
Earnings: $124,140
Owner(s): Mr LI Cohen
Trainer: Lionel Cohen (Rosehill)
