Promising two-year-old Bootlegger looks to be going places after breaking his maiden in style at Gawler on Saturday, delivering a strong win in the 2YO Class 1 Plate at just his second career start.
Trained by Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray, the gelding is already showing signs of class, having debuted against older horses before returning to his own age group and proving far too sharp.
Bred by Yalumba’s Robert Hill-Smith, Bootlegger is impeccably put together, both in pedigree and potential. And while his name might nod to a cheeky past, there was nothing underhanded about the way he mowed down his rivals in the straight.
“He’s a feisty little creature,” MacGillivray said post-race, “but he was composed on raceday.”
His debut run, a flashing effort from the rear of the field, gave a strong glimpse of what was to come. Back among his own age group on Saturday, he settled nicely before unleashing late to grab the win.
Clarken & MacGillivray now have their eyes on bigger targets, with the Group 3 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes at Morphettville firmly on the radar.
“We wouldn’t shy away from contesting the Sires in a fortnight,” MacGillivray said. “He looks to us like he’ll get the 1400-metre trip.”
The Sires has a history of producing high-class horses, including Go Indy Go and Air Assault, and Bootlegger’s name may soon sit alongside them if he continues his upward trajectory.
Saturday’s runner-up, Violet Lovebug, also impressed and could be one to follow herself, with the two talented juveniles potentially set for a rematch in the Group 3 feature.