Grand Scholar in the Sun Stud silks careers away in the Opus Group Handicap
No horse has impressed more across the Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights Season than Grand Scholar, whose six length win last Friday night in the Opus Group Handicap turned heads and put the McEvoy trained filly into the spotlight.
The win was her second at The Valley in the space of a fortnight and has her connections, Sun Stud, dreaming of Magic Millions glory on the Gold Coast in January.
“Ideally we’d give her a lead-up run in Queensland to gain some extra prizemoney, with the eye to tackling the Guineas over 1400 metres, which we think she’ll relish,” Sun Stud’s Adam Henry explained.
It was at that very Gold Coast Carnival 12 months ago that Sun Stud paid $120,000 for the Wandjina filly. Grand Scholar hails from a six-time winning dam by More Than Ready named Patronyme who was a Group 3 winner and left four foals for as many winners.
Acting as one of Victoria’s premiere stud farms and standing 10 stallions on their roster, it was the opportunity to widen their broodmare band that was attractive to Sun Stud.
“She gained black-type at her first start in the Redoute’s Choice Stakes, so she’s a valuable filly to us”
“Hopefully there is a good career on the racetrack ahead and then we will pair her to one of our stallions,” Henry explained.
Only racing a small number of horses in the McEvoy team’s care, the stables high opinion from early in her career has certainly been vindicated.
“Tony liked her from early on and that’s why we gave her a two-year-old preparation”.
“I wouldn’t say her form this campaign has come as a total surprise and we look forward to seeing how far she can go,” said Henry.
Grand Scholar has had three starts this preparation for as many wins by a combined margin of 11 lengths. She also split Missile Mantra and Express Pass on debut in the Redoute’s Choice Stakes.
Sun Stud are long time supporters of the MVRC and its owner’s hospitality room.
“We have had a great association with The Valley sponsoring the Sunline Suite and also the $100 Strapper’s prize through Jason Petch’s Behind the Barriers”.
“We love to get along and support the Friday night races and it’s even better when we have a win there”.