When Scenic Lodge finally called time on the career of broodmare Satin Covers earlier this year after four fruitless seasons, it appeared the stud did not get much of a return on the $26,000 it outlaid at the 2012 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
At the time of her sale, the daughter of
Satin Covers first eight foals had all reached the racetrack and seven were winners including the Listed stakes-winner Gawne (Flying Spur)
So Frank Edwards was playing the percentages when he made the final bid of $31,000 for Satin Covers Magnus colt, out of the Scenic Lodge draft, at the 2014 Magic Millions Perth Yearling sale.
Named Great Shot (pictured as a yearling ) and sent to the stable of Rhys Radford, the now 3yo gelding made a dramatic statement when stepping up to stakes class for the first time in Saturday's Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m).
Ridden by Craig Staples, the son of Magnus was never headed in a four and a quarter length romp over Showy Chloe (Alfred Nobel) who was two lengths to the good of
It was the first stakes win for the gelding's 25yo trainer who said the intention was not to lead.
"In races like this you do not really like to lead but he was left there and seemed to be travelling all right," Radford said.
"Craig knows what he's doing, it was a top ride.
Radford said the Group 1 Railway Stakes could be a long term goal but was undecided on his near future.
"We may have one more start or go straight to the paddock, we'll get over the hangover then work it out," he said.
Great Shot advances his overall record to 5 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 7 starts for earnings of $226,550.
A daughter of the Group 1 Orlando Wines Classic (now Coolmore Classic) winner Satin Sand (Buena Shore), Satin Covers had been covered by Blackfriars (4 times) and Snippetson in recent years without success so she was pensioned in January.
Great Shot becomes the 12th stakes winner for Sun Stud's Magnus who will cover ninth book of mares in Victoria this spring at a fee of $19,800.
