A shot at the feature 3-year-old staying races this spring await the regally-bred Sikorsky (Pierro) and fellow Sale maiden winner Cosmic City (NZ) (Reliable Man) after their first career victories on Thursday.
After not quite living up to expectations over shorter distances in his first two starts this campaign, Sikorsky relished the step up to 1600m, defying his pedigree somewhat to win by 2.25L.
Sikorsky is full-brother to former star 2-year-old Tulip, who was placed in a Golden Slipper and has two Group 3 victories over 1200m to her credit.
But he looks more like following the steps of his other sibling, Sacred Eye (High Chaparral {Ire}), who won the G3 Caulfield Classic over 2000m.
It is that exact same race which Lindsay Park are targetting with the colt who they paid $500,000 for at the 2017 Easter Yearling Sales.
"He's been a little bit frustrating in his last couple of runs, but the way he put them away today was impressive," stable representative Bruno Rouge-Serret said.
"He's very progressive horse, he had a high price tag on him, but we’ve always had a big wrap on him. This has now opened the door for him to go where we want to go."
The Caulfield Classic is run on October 20 and the 1800m Listed race, the UCI Stakes, is the likely next step for Sikorsky.
"He's very naturally relaxed horse, I don’t think the 1800m or further will bother him." Rouge-Serret said.
Sikorsky, pictured as a yearling
Reliable performance
The stable who won the UCI Stakes last year (with Main Stage), Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, have another possible contender with Cosmic City (NZ) (Reliable Man).
Cosmic City (NZ) got home in a blanket finish in the 1600m race prior to Sikorsky and looks a promising 3-year-old stayer.
Bought for $120,000 at the NZB Ready To Run 2YO Sale he is a half brother to Guns at Five (NZ (Duelled) who was a New Zealand St Leger winner.
Stable representative Sam McLeod confirmed the Victoria Derby was definitely on the horizon for Cosmic City after a tough win at just his second start.
"We'll head that way. He can stay, so we'll head in that direction," he said.
Luke Nolen rode both Cosmic City and Sikorsky and has a high opinion of both.
"I like both horses. If I could I'd argue that they find different races for both of them so I can stick with them," he said.
WATCH: Cosmic City breezes up for the 2017 NZB Ready to Run Sale
