Record colt Tron Bolt impresses with Kensington win ahead of Group 1 path
Securing a sale-topping fee at the breeze-up auction, Tron Bolt seems destined for Group 1 action after his resounding victory midweek at Randwick's Kensington circuit.
Hermitage Thoroughbreds paid $900,000 for the colt - a record at the Inglis Ready2Race sale - with Tron Bolt now pointed at next month's J J Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm, perhaps detouring through the Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m).
"There's the Sires' Produce in Queensland. It's two-and-a-half weeks (away), or the same day at Rosehill there's a 1300. It will be one of the two," trainer Chris Waller said of Tron Bolt's next start.
"Ideally, he can win then or run well and go to the J J Atkins.
"He was a nice Ready-To-Run horse, and he's impressed us since day one."
By Toronado, Tron Bolt ($2.70) was third at Kembla Grange on debut back in April but outclassed the field in the Hawaii Five Oh @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1400m) on Wednesday.
James McDonald drove him home strongly to win by three lengths from Rolling Home ($8.50), with Unhinged ($2.50 fav), from the same stable, just a long head further back in third.
The trainer has enjoyed success pinpointing two-year-olds that develop later for Queensland carnival majors like the J J Atkins, and Tron Bolt suits that mould.
"It works well, and we've had it in mind for him for a while," he said.
"He obviously needed to win today. He is a lovely, scopey horse, that's why I'm thinking a mile."
Although St Gotthard, winner of the Ken Russell Memorial Classic on Saturday, confirmed for a break this week, Waller holds promising contenders for the Atkins.
Tron Bolt joins Clarendon Stakes winner Stormy Marco and second-placed Nation's League, the latter scratched Wednesday at Kensington, on the road to the feature.
"They need to keep improving," Waller said.
"I like to give them a run or two at two, otherwise they find it hard to measure up at three."
Visit online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the J J Atkins race.
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