WA crew reflects on good buy
A WA syndicate has paid $330,000 for Redoute's Choice entire Reflectance in the hope of a Group 1 win in next month's $1 million Carlton Draught Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
Former Collingwood footballer Mark Bayliss, with his parents Richard and Marie, brother Cristian and businessmen Peter Johnston, Shane Ball and Bevan Buswell, claimed the five-year-old at Patinack Farm's dispersal sale on Wednesday.
They had pursued Hooked, but found Sean Buckley, of Ultra Tune and Miss Andretti fame, too strong in bidding.
The last-start Cameron Handicap winner was knocked down for $600,000.
Sam Clipperton is booked to ride Hooked in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick tomorrow.
Reflectance has the pedigree of a stallion, being a half-brother to the Group 1-winning sire Casino Prince.
Reflectance's grand dam, Kew Gardens, produced Champagne Stakes winner Onemorenomore and Palia.
"We took a line for what Hooked sold for and we adjusted ourselves for it," Mark Bayliss said.
"From a stallion point of view, Reflectance has a magnificent pedigree.
"He has to win that good race to get him there. The aim is to win the Railway. He is on his way to WA now and he will be prepared by Mark Bairstow."
Reflectance is a last-start Rosehill winner, on September 13.
Meanwhile, leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir will put Perth Cup winner Black Tycoon to the test when he runs in Sunday week's $200,000 Cranbourne Cup (2025m). Weir had to combat a nagging hoof abscess with Black Tycoon before his recent unplaced two starts.
