A winner at this meet last year in the $160,000 Clarendon two-years-old Stakes, smart three-year-old colt Media World (Written Tycoon) collected his first Stakes victory in the Gr.3 Hawkesbury Guineas on Saturday. Prepared by Peter Snowden, the colt threaded his way to the front of the pack over the first 400 metres of the 1400-metre event and held his lead around the home turn.
Just Party (Justify {USA}) was among the strongest who attacked the colt’s lead in the home straight, but ultimately Media World, urged by Tyler Schiller, was able to get his head in front and deny the Justify (USA) gelding by 0.05l. It was Snowden’s fifth win in the event – all achieved since 2012.
“This is a very good race meeting and I like to target it with the right type of horse,” Snowden said post-race. “We deliberately held Media World back with the Hawkesbury Guineas in mind for him, it’s great that he can come here and win another nice race.’”
Media World was almost gelded following the spring, but majority owner Yulong opted for one last shot with him as a colt.
“Already it’s paid dividends,” Snowden said. “He’s won a Group race here today, and I hope he can go on further. I will take him to Brisbane for the Fred Best (Classic) next.
“I’m hoping he could emerge as a Stradbroke Handicap (prospect), he’s heading in the right direction, that’s for sure.”
Yulong paid $1.4 million for Media World, son of Champion Sire Written Tycoon, at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Fairview Park Stud in 2023. Breeders Francis and Christine Cook have been able to retain a share in the colt.
“This colt was Meryl’s first foal ,and it was Written Tycoon’s last service at Arrowfield and we got it at a good price there before he went down to Yulong,” Francis Cook said. “We ran second with Dalchini beaten a nose, but to get across the line with a horse we bred, I’m a bit teary.”
He is the first foal from dual Group 3 winner Meryl (Epaulette), whose next two foals were also Easter graduates. Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) paid $330,000 for her filly by Pierata in April this year.
Written for TTRAusNZ
