Grand sprinter First Command sent his earnings soaring past $930,000 with a strong win in today’s listed $121,000 Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.
The win gave trainer Anthony Freedman the perfect welcoming present after his move this week to Flemington.
Out of the barriers swiftly, First Command led from start to finish with winning rider Glen Boss saying the tough galloper had something in hand on the line.
The win was the 12th in 31 starts for First Command, a $170,000 purchase from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“He’s officially the first winner from here which is great because he deserves that tag,” Freedman said.
“We moved on Monday and Tuesday and Hazard who won on Wednesday traveled to the races from Markdel, so he’s actually the first runner from Flemington.”
“He’s just a wonderful horse,” Freedman added. “He was well placed obviously today and there’s another one of these similar races in two weeks and we might just go there and then give him a rest.”
Glen Boss, who has raced to a big lead in the Melbourne Jockey Premiership race, said First Command was much too good for his small field of rivals in the Kensington Stakes.
“He was just way too good for them wasn’t he,” Boss said.
“To be quite honest the further I was going to go in the straight, the further he was going to go in front of them. He had that race well and truly under his keeping from the moment the race hit the ground.”
The win was the second consecutive success in the Kensington Stakes for First Command.
Sent out the popular elect with punters First Command ($1.50-$1.65 fav) still had something in the hand on the line, cruising home three parts of a length clear of runner-up Light Express ($13-$8.50).
Adelaide visitor Belfast Boy ($9.50-$10-$9), a lover of the straight track, was third home, a further length and a quarter back in a three way finish for third.
First Command is one of four winners produced by the 100 per cent winner getter River Serenade.
A one time winner over 1000 metres and a full sister to Oakleigh Plate winner River Dove, River Serenade is making quite a name for herself as a producer of note for Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud.
As well as First Command she is the dam of Hong Kong star sprinter One World – an eight time winner and earner of over A$2.2 million.
Her other two runners – Serenada and Riviere – are both metropolitan winners for Baramul Stud.
Winner: First Command
Breeding: Commands-River Serenade (Hurricane Sky)
Race: VRC Kensington Stakes LR (1000m)
Sold for: $170,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Lee Freedman
Earnings: $930,690
Owner(s): J Fowler, R Pasquali, A Santos, L Macri, Monterey Stud Synd (Mgr: M & J Brown), S Powell, M & Mrs R Lang & J & Mrs L King
Trainer: Anthony Freedman (Flemington)
