The Queen’s Birthday long weekend was a successful one for JHB Purchases with two winners in two days.
First up was Convinced who broke his maiden with a tough win at Hawkesbury on Sunday.
Jumping from barrier 5, jockey Sam Clipperton allowed Convinced to find his feet settling towards the rear of the field on the rail. The leaders Echo Lad and Petronius set a strong pace kicking clear of the field on the turn. Convinced was still 4 lengths off the leaders in the straight before finishing off strongly to claim the lead over the final stages and record a deserved victory. He now boasts a very good record of a win and two placings from just three starts.
Convinced was a JHB purchase from the Magic Millions January Yearling Sale for $475,000 from the draft of Eureka Stud. He is a son of leading sire Not A Single Doubt out of Anabaa mare Amusements which makes him a three quarter brother to multiple stakes winner Karuta Queen.
On Monday it was the turn of Leviathan who recorded an impressive win on debut over 1100m on the Kensington track.
Beginning well from the inside gate Leviathan was able to hold a forward position on the rail. He found himself in a bit of an awkward spot in the early part of the straight before jockey Tim Clark elected to shift out at the 250m mark and Leviathan charged through the gap and drew away for a strong win. Leviathan ran the fastest winners splits and fastest 400m of the day making the win all the more impressive.
Leviathan is another 2018 Magic Millions January Yearling purchase by JHB, this time for $375,000 from the Woodside Park Stud draft. By phenomenal young sire Zoustar, he is the first foal of the stakes placed Lonhro mare Lady Lakshmi who herself is a three quarter sister to Generalife.
Thanks as always to Peter and Paul Snowden and their team for presenting both horses in such terrific order, and congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Donna & Rob Love, Phil & Glenda Mehrten, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Steve & Louise Gillard, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond and Danny & Pauline Saab.