Adamantium (NZ) G1 Newmarket Handicap Bound

Talented sprinter Adamantium (NZ) continued his love affair with the Flemington straight with a brilliant performance to land the A$150,000 Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) yesterday.

Adamantium (Elusive City x Della Mimosa) won his last start down the 1200 metre Flemington straight in mid-December where he dominated proceedings from the front and yesterday’s race saw him repeat the dose.

Jumping straight to the lead, the four-year-old son of Elusive City gave his rivals no hope, racing three lengths out in front and tearing away in the final stages to record his first stakes victory by an impressive two-and-a-half lengths for his trainer Danny O'Brien.

Adamantium proved that he was well up to Group level as a three-year-old running third in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes and third to ten-time Group 1 winner (King) Mufhasa (Pentire) and Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker (Reset) in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m).

Trainer Danny O'Brien confirmed after the race that Adamantium will be aimed at the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) this preparation.

Adamantium capped off a highly successful day for Haunui Farm who sold the son of Elusive City at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2010 Karaka Select Sale for $250,000 – topping the Sale – and Fix who won her second Group 2 race inside a week in the Group 2 NZB Royal Stakes.

Bred by H Mackley, Adamantium was purchased by O'Brien Thoroughbreds and is raced by Mr R Smith, Mr B Mathieson, Mr H Mackley and Mr J Parncutt. He has now won four of his 18 starts for just under A$350,000.

Adamantium is the 22nd stakes winner for his sire Elusive City who stood at Haunui Farm during his time in New Zealand. Elusive City also sired the likes of Ahdashim, Jetset Lad, Hinemoa and current Group 1 performer Xanadu during his time at Haunui.

The 2013 Karaka Premier Sale will see Haunui Farm offer a brother to Adamantium at Lot 100. To view Elusive City’s Select Sale draft, click here.