Macrae’s Day As Aquatorial Impresses

Astute Toowoomba horseman Ron Macrae declared Aquatorial “not for sale” with connections revealing Magic Millions Guineas plan for their exciting youngster following an impressive win at Doomben on Saturday.

Aquatorial showed a great turn of foot when asked by apprentice Lason Letherby to beat home stablemate Slysera, who came from well back in the field. The margin between the stablemates was a length and a half.

Prior to Saturday’s win a number of offers had been made from Asia to buy the now multiple city winning youngster.

“He’s a 1400 metre horse and I’m looking forward to the ($1 million) Magic Millions (Guineas) and that’s where we’re headed with him now,” Macrae told AAP.

“He was a bit gate shy but he’s mended his ways since I took the blinkers off him two starts back and added winkers.”

“We’ve had a few offers to sell him but he’s not for sale,” Macrae added.

The win was the first for 25-year-old English apprentice Jason Letherby in Brisbane.

“It’s nice to get my first city winner on a Saturday, especially for my boss,” he said.

Both Aquatorial and Slysera were purchased by Macrae as yearlings from Magic Millions sales – both being half brothers to quality gallopers trained from the same stable.

Aquatorial cost $50,000 and is by Danehill’s sire son Oratorio. He is a half brother to four winners including Macrae’s former top runner Bonza Crop.

Bonza Crop won two races at two including the Toowoomba Magic Millions Trophy and he earned black type when third in the Doomben Slipper.

Their dam Dolcetto, a winner over 1350 metres, is a half sister to three stakes performers including the stakes winning Adelaide galloper Wake Me Not.

Aquatorial’s record reads out at three wins and four minor placings from seven lifetime outings and he’s already earned $86,300.

Runner-up Slysera, a son of promising young Lyndhurst Stud sire Hidden Dragon, cost Macrae $40,000.

He is from the lightly raced Regal classic mare Sera and is therefore a half brother to Regal Castanea – Macrae’s eight time winner and earner of over $340,000.

Already a winner, Slysera has raced on four occasions and is already in profit – having earned $52,500 since his purchase.

PIC – Dan Costello.