Crypto Force justified trainer Michael O’Callaghan’s faith in him with a convincing success in the Gr.2 Beresford Stakes (1600m) at the Curragh on Saturday.
A promising debut winner over 1400m in the trainer’s colours in June, Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing team went to £900,000 to secure the two-year-old colt by Time Test at the Goffs London Sale on the eve of Royal Ascot, based on O’Callaghan’s recommendation.
Disappointment followed when he was only seventh in the Listed Chesham Stakes (1400m) a few days later, but Crypto Force has now handsomely vindicated his trainer’s opinion and is a 33-1 chance for next year’s Gr.1 Derby (2400m).
Settled at the back of the five-runner field as Adelaide River and Lakota Seven pressed on, Crypto Force made smooth headway into contention two furlongs out.
Adelaide River saw off Lakota Seven inside the final 200m, but Crypto Force eventually took the measure of the longtime leader, lengthening clear to win by two and a quarter lengths.
“That’s massive. I’m delighted for Kia Joorabchian and Amo Racing (owners). He’s been a big supporter of mine this year and he’s let me go to the breeze-ups and buy some nice horses,” O’Callaghan said.
“They cost plenty of money. I bought this lad myself and when he won his maiden I told Kia he was going to the London Sale and to be fair to him he didn’t force me to sell him to him at home.
“I brought him to the sale and he paid a lot of money for him. The pressure was very much on me from that point on and it was a massive kick in the guts at Ascot, it just wasn’t to be and he just needed that bit more time.
“To be fair Kia has been very patient. It’s 98 days since Ascot but I just wanted to wait. He’s a very exciting horse for next year.
“He’ll have no problem getting a mile and a quarter, but on better ground he’ll have that bit more pace. Colin (Keane, jockey) said he could make up into a Guineas horse over the winter.
“He’s got the job done today and he’s taken a bit of pressure off me after him costing so much, to a man I owe a lot to. I’m just delighted for him and he deserves it because he puts a lot into racing.”
An impeccably bred son of Dubawi, Time Test shuttles to Little Avondale Stud in New Zealand. The sire of six stakes winners from 95 runners, Time Test will be represented by stakes winning juvenile Leedox, who is likely to step out at Hawke’s Bay next weekend for Andrew Forsman.
