Warrnambool trainer Daniel Bowman is feeling upbeat despite a seven-figure deal falling through for his undefeated gelding Ocean Beyond (NZ) (Ocean Park).
Connections were offered upwards of A$1.3 million for the son of Ocean Park, although the transaction was not completed after the three-year-old failed the vetting stage of the process.
“We went through the rigors of getting him vetted and I think they got a bit scared off about how immature he was, he wasn’t heavy enough,” Bowman said. “He is probably still six months off maturity-wise.
“They said there was an issue on x-ray so they failed him and we did our own due diligence post that, had MRI’s done and what not at Ballarat but there was no issue we could find.
“He is having a spell now and we will get him ready for the Sydney Autumn.
“He is a serious horse.”
While disappointed the deal fell through, Bowman is looking on the brights side and is excited about the gelding’s prospects heading into Autumn.
“We had started to make plans in pencil to spend the money we would have got from our percentage but we had to rub out those pretty quickly,” he said.
“The money would have been good but I have a lot of faith in this horse, so if his soundness stays good I think he could be a Group One winner in the next 12 or 18 months.”
Ocean Beyond won his debut in November at Geelong before stepping up to stakes level three weeks later to win the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
