Quantum Legend shines on debut
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend (Castelvecchio) on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list.
The Banquo 3YO (1200m) has been part of the Foxbridge programme since 2022. The first running was won by Shez Shamus (NZ) (Shamus Award), with subsequent Group performers Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh), Arby (NZ) (Proisir) and Academy Award (NZ) (Star Turn) among the beaten runners.
The 2023 race was taken out by Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who went on to add the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), while future black-type stars Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon) and Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) finished second and third.
The talented Suit Yourself (NZ) (Savile Row) won it last year, with runner-up Myakkabelle (NZ) (War Decree) going on to place in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m).
There was plenty of trial form among the field for the 2025 edition on Saturday, but all eyes were on Quantum Legend. He had made a big impression winning both of his trial appearances – a 1050m two-year-old heat at Ruakaka back in April, and a 900m three-year-old heat at Te Rapa on August 5.
The son of Castelvecchio was sent out as a commanding $2.20 favourite on Saturday, and he produced a performance worthy of that billing.
Quantum Legend jumped only fairly from his wide gate and was near the tail of the field turning out of the back straight. But rider Michael McNab got on to the back of horses improving around the outside of the field down the side of the track. By the time he swung into the home straight, he had cruised into striking distance and was travelling better than any of his 10 rivals.
McNab released the brakes in the last 250m and Quantum Legend bounded into a clear lead. Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), Curzon Park (NZ) (Ribchester), Mizzette (Wooton Basset) and the strong-finishing longshot Shoma (NZ) ( Contributer) chased hard, but Quantum Legend was too good and scored a comfortable win by a length and a quarter.
Quantum Legend is trained by Tony Pike for a Hong Kong owner Kenneth Lau.
“He looks like a proper horse,” Pike said. “He was a bit slow away and probably ended up further back than we expected, but Michael was able to get a good tow into the race. You don’t often see them cruise up on the bridle like that against a good field like this.
“He’s an immense talent. I just hope I can keep him here.
“Michael’s had a big rap on this horse for a long time, and a lot of people have talked him up over the last couple of weeks. It’s good to get the job done today, and thankfully it’s all been as easy as we could have hoped so far. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.
“If he stays here, we might look at races like the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) and the main goal for this preparation will be getting him to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).”
Quantum Legend’s impressive debut saw him make a big move up the market for the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 15. The TAB cut his odds from $21 into $10, now sharing fourth favouritism with To Bravery Born. Hostility (I Am Invincible) is the $4 favourite, with He Who Dares and Landlock on the second line at $8.
McNab has no doubt that Quantum Legend will be among the stars of this season’s three-year-old crop if he stays in New Zealand.
“I’ve got a really big opinion of him,” he said. “It was very exciting the way he did it today, and relief that he did it. They can sometimes do that at the trials and then be underwhelming on raceday. It was good to see him do that today against a tidy bunch of three-year-olds. He probably won with more ease than I thought he would.
“I think he’s capable of being a dominant three-year-old here. He’s very smart.
“I don’t know the owner, but I’ve been saying my piece since his first trial. Hopefully the owner is willing to race a horse here in New Zealand through his three-year-old season. I’ll be very grateful if he does.”
Quantum Legend was bought for just A$10,000 by Paul Willetts from the 2023 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. He was later offered by Kilgravin Lodge at the 2024 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where he was sold to Waikato Bloodstock for $400,000.
