Sent
out a short priced favourite at two of his first three starts, expensive
Snitzel colt Sooboog finally broke the ice with a determined win at Canterbury
on Wednesday.
A costly flop at his first run back from a spell when he played up badly in the
gates at Gosford, the Hawkes Racing trained colt was fitted with a barrier
blanket this time around and it had the desired effect.
He behaved himself and jumped on terms for Tommy Berry, pushing on to take up a
position outside the leader.
Under pressure in the straight, the handsome chestnut gave plenty to fight on
and win by a head over talented Fastnet Rock colt Deploy in what looked a very
strong 1100 metre maiden.
""It was a good tough win, but the most important thing is that we've got him
back on track," said a relieved Michael Hawkes.
A full brother to Group I winner Snitzerland, Sooboog was a $1.5 million
purchase for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum at the Inglis Australian
Easter Yearling Sale.
Bred and consigned by Arrowfield, he was the most expensive yearling by Snitzel
sold in 2014.
"The Coolmore (Group I) is still his long term goal, but we'll just take him
along quietly," Hawkes added.
Sooboog is the sixth winner for star producer Monte Rosa, a sister to Group III
winner Nina Haraka.
Monte Rosa has already foaled this spring producing a sister to Snitzerland and
Sooboog at Arrowfield last month.