Holy Roman Emperor Colt Wins Avondale Guineas

Group I New Zealand Derby aspirant Mongolian Khan (3c Holy Roman Emperor x Centafit, by Centaine) confirmed his potential with another dominant win in the Group II Avondale Guineas on Saturday.

Not happy with the early pace in the 2100 metre staying test, winning rider Opie Bosson made an early move to set up a more genuine tempo and the colt’s stamina told in a perfect dress rehearsal for the Group I New Zealand Derby in a fortnight’s time.

“Opie took the initiative and that’s why he’s the number one rider,” co-trainer Murray Baker said.

Mongolian Khan won by a length and three quarters from the maiden Prima, with the favourite Volkstok’n’barrell third.

Mongolian Khan’s performance was enough for him to be promoted to outright $3 favouritism for the Derby ahead of Volkstok’n’barrell, who has drifted from $2.60 to $3.20.

“He’s won all three races beyond a mile and it was another very good effort,” Baker said.

“He had to make two runs and you don’t often see that in a Group race. He showed his class and outstayed them – he’s a top colt.”

Baker, who prepares Mongolian Khan at Cambridge with Andrew Forsman, said the three-year-old wouldn’t require a lot of work between now and his return for the Derby at Ellerslie, where he is unbeaten in three appearances.

“He’s a fit and happy horse and in top form. We know that he can stay – he relaxes in his races and that’s the key.”

Mongolian Khan is owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry Company, a consortium that is headed by Manchurian business magnate, Mr Lang Ling. The organisation has had a major impact on the New Zealand breeding industry in the past few years where they have purchased in excess of 500 horses through the auction ring or via private sales.

A successful pinhook having been bought for $140,000 as a yearling and re-sold for $220,000 at the 2013 NZB Ready To Run Sale of two-year-olds, Mongolian Khan has now taken his record to five wins from just six starts.

Bred in Australia by y Tasmanian based Grenville Stud, Mongolian Khan is a half-brother to Group I winner Young Centaur and is one of 47 stakes-winners for Holy Roman Emperor.