Impressive debut winner for Olympic Glory at Newbury

First season two-year-old sire Olympic Glory (IRE) (Choisir) had a brilliant debut winner at Newbury on Friday. Trained by Brian Meehan, Athmad showed his abundant talent despite shifting across the straight on the run home.

“Obviously, being his first day at school we didn’t know exactly what we going to get," said assistant trainer James Ferguson.

"I know Brian really likes him and sees him as one of the best two year olds he has got. As far as future plans are concerned that will be up to Brian and the owner. He is definitely a potential stakes horse in Brian’s eyes.”

Olympic Glory shuttles to Arrowfield Stud from Al Shaqab's Haras de Bouquetot in France. He stands for $16,500 inc. GST in 2018.

Athmad is Olympic Glory's 9th individual two-year-old winner and is out of Authorized (IRE) mare Black Mascara.

Marmelo looking for back-to-back Kergorlays

Marmelo (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) will have his final run before heading to Australia for the Melbourne Cup in Sunday's G2 Prix Kergorlay at Deauville in France.

Marmelo won the Kergorlay last year before running sixth in the G1 Caulfield Cup and ninth in the G1 Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Hughie Morrison has indicated that Marmelo, who won the G2 Maurice Neill at Longchamp at his most recent run, will go straight to the Flemington 3200m event this time around.

Also in the Kergolay is the OTI-owned Casterton (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who is also headed to Australia after this run.

Recent Melbourne Cup winners Americain, Dunaden and Protectionist have all come through the Prix Kergolay on their way to success in the Flemington feature.

Black-type aims for Miss Siska

Well-related mare Miss Siska (So You Think {NZ}) is headed to the Listed Balaklava Cup after a success in a benchmark race at Caulfield on Saturday.

The half-sister to triple G1 winning sprinter Hay List (Statue of Liberty {USA}) notched her fifth win at her 11th start and trainer Tony McEvoy is hoping to capitalise on both her form and pedigree with a black-type success.

Like her brother, Miss Siska was bred by the Davenport family.

Kiwi 5YO makes stunning return

Quality mare La Bella Diosa (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) could be headed back to Group 1 company after a strong win on return at Caulfield on Saturday.

In her first appearance for three months, she came from the back of the field with a powerful finishing burst to claim the Macdonald Family Handicap over 1100 metres, a distance well short of her best.

La Bella Diosa enjoyed a lucrative 3-year-old campaign, winning the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and the G2 Surround S., when trained by Mandy and Matt Brown. She subsequently joined the stable of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig and was having her second start for their yard.

The G1 Myer Classic during the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington looms as a spring target for the mare, who is from the family of the dual Group 1 winner The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).

Mare to follow

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has tipped a bright future for the well-related mare So Wicked (NZ) (Street Cry {IRE}).

The daughter of the G2 Queen of the South S., winner So Pristine (Zabeel {NZ}) opened her winning account at the fourth time of asking at Te Rapa on Saturday and she is expected to make her mark in stronger company.

“Her racing manners are improving and she’ll be a better mare in the future, she’s only going to keep improving,” Marsh said.

So Wicked is from the family of last season’s New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}).

History awaits for Wells in Grand National

Wells (Galileo {GB}) will be looking for an unprecedented fourth $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat on Sunday.

The 11-year-old won the premier jumps race in 2014, 2016 and 2017 and returns having missed a lead-up run in the Crisp Steeplechase two weeks ago.

After Wells won a Cranbourne trial earlier this week, trainer Kathryn Durden has him back on track for his bid at history.

New Zealand pair Sea King (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) and Monarch Chimes (Shinko King {Ire}) are considered his main rivals.