Macarthur heads to Golden Horseshoe
Charge Forward’s 2YO son Macarthur’s second win at Kranji on Friday evening was even more impressive than his maiden victory a month ago.
He jumped smartly from barrier 10 in the 1200-metre IRT Juvenile Stakes and took up the lead with favourite Jupiter Gold in close attendance. Macarthur always looked more comfortable than his rivals during the race and had plenty left in to offer when Vlad Duric asked to him to sprint in the straight.
The filly Athena mounted a strong late challenge and got the better of Jupiter Gold, but Macarthur held her out by a head to score in a time of 1:10.78, cutting out the last 200 metres in 22:74.
Watch Macarthur’s IRT Juvenile Stakes win.
Steve Levar, who races Macarthur with his wife Christine and American couple Adam & Brittany Levinson under the Stars & Stripes Stable banner, was understably delighted with the gelding’s performance.
He says, “It was a great thrill for all of us to see win like he did and now he will more than likely be favourite for the Golden Horseshoe next month. He just keeps on improving and taking the next step each time he races and he has a great will to win.”
Macarthur (ex Mozambique by Redoute’s Choice) was bred by the Gilberts of Highgrove Stud and offered at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, but he failed to meet his reserve. Sent to Gai Waterhouse, he trialled twice at Randwick before being sold privately to the Levar & Levinson partnership which has also enjoyed success with the Australian-bred Bugatty, bought last year from a partnership that included Deb Gilbert.
Steve Levar reports that Macarthur, who is prepared by Steven Burridge, has pulled up well after Friday’s race. “He will be given a quiet week to freshen up before we prepare him for the big one in July.”
He adds, “It’s a real credit to Ron and Debbie Gilbert who consistently breed top class thoroughbreds every year. We will definitely be taking a closer look at the Highgrove Stud yearlings next season.”
That’s good news not only for Highgrove, but also for Aushorse which sponsors the six-race Golden Horseshoe Series with the support of Inglis, Magic Millions & IRT.
The final leg, the Golden Horseshoe Sgp-2, will be held on 8 July with prizemoney of $S325,000 plus a $S75,000 bonus for the winner if s/he was offered at an Inglis or Magic Millions Sale. Macarthur’s cheque from last Friday’s win included a $S20,000 Auhorse bonus.
Recent Golden Horseshoe winners include Singapore Horse of the Year War Affair and Champion 2YOs Super One & Mr Big.
Well-established as a source of quality juveniles like Macarthur, Charge Forward also leaves his share of durable performers and one of them, 6YO Arrowfield graduate Bradman (ex Portrayal by Flying Spur) scored his sixth win at Flemington on Saturday.
