Golden Horn On a Winning Run

While never having shuttled to Australia, Darley's four-time Gr1-winning stallion Golden Horn's (Cape Cross-Fleche D'Or, by Dubai Destination) first crop southern hemisphere runners have hit the ground running this season with two winners and a placegetter from just three to the track. One of only four first crop 2YOs in Australia, the lone one yet to race, Bon Vivant (Golden Horn-Good Friend, by Shamardal), makes his debut this Saturday in the Rod Johnson Handicap (1420m) at Flemington. Trained by James Cummings for Godolphin, the late season juvenile debutant, to be ridden by Damien Oliver, will jump from the outside barrier in the field of 11. Placed in France during her race career, dam Good Friend was sent to Australia in foal to Golden Horn, and interestingly comes from a pedigree known all too well in Australia. She is a half-sister to Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice), herself the dam of Gr1 Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me (Street Cry). With three unraced runners in the field – every other runner has finished fifth or better at their last start including two last start winners – the race appears wide open on paper.

Elite performer Golden Horn (pic: darleyeurope.com)