A troop of Redoute’s Choice colts

A troop of Redoute’s Choice colts

The gap left on the Arrowfield roster by Beneteau begs to be filled by another son of Redoute’s Choice.

The Stud’s 2015 stallion brochure tags gifted colt Scissor Kick as “Coming Soon”, so his spot is assured, but less than a month into the new season, a couple of other Redoute’s Choice colts raced by Arrowfield have put up their hooves for the same imprimatur.

3YO King’s Troop, a three-quarter brother to Snitzel, made his bid on 15 August with a heady run for second in the ATC San Domenico S. 1100m G3, beaten only a half-length by the very talented gelding Japonisme in near-race record time of 1:02.57.

That performance was a significant step up for King’s Troop who attracted attention with a big trial win before his debut second on a heavy track to Japonisme at Rosehill on 18 July. Eighteen days later he broke his maiden with a 3.8 length win at Warwick Farm, before tackling Group company at his third start.

Trainer Gerald Ryan had already recommended that King’s Troop needs time to grow and strengthen with the aim of preparing for a major Autumn campaign. He went straight to the paddock after the San Domenico while owners Arrowfield and Alan Jones imagine his future.

The following Wednesday 19 August it was the turn of Raphael’s Cat to step up. He showed impressive acceleration at the end of 1200 metres at Canterbury, winning by 2.5 lengths from Tap This and Secret Trail.

He won his 2YO debut back in February for Gai Waterhouse and a group of owners headed by Ricky Surace, Matt Cloros & Arrowfield and spelled after an unplaced run in the ATC Pago Pago S. G2. He will now head to Melbourne for the $200,000 VRC Danehill S. G2 on 12 September.

Waiting in the wings for Arrowfield and Paul Messara are Panzer Division and Scissor Kick, both among last season’s best 3YO colts and set to return later in the Spring, while Rekindled Power (Group 2-placed at three) is not far away from his season debut.