Shangri La Boy, younger brother of star galloper Storm Boy, showed he can carve out his own reputation with a dominant victory in the TAB Plate (1400m) at Rosehill.
The three-year-old bounced back from a debut defeat at Canterbury, leading all the way under Adam Hyeronimus to score by 2-¼ lengths over Nordic Viking, with Providence third.
Hyeronimus, who guided Storm Boy to major wins in the Magic Millions Classic and San Domenico Stakes, said Shangri La Boy was a different type but equally promising.
“He’s so casual, so relaxed, nothing ever bothers him and I’m sure he will build off the back of today’s win,” Hyeronimus said.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott added the colt was still a work in progress but improving with racing.
Earlier, Ciaron Maher’s $625,000 yearling Ripley lived up to his price tag with a two-length win in the 1200m United Resource Management Handicap. The Too Darn Hot colt holds a Caulfield Guineas nomination, with Maher hinting at a possible stakes target this spring.