Trio of Syndicate 'Poster Boys' Line Up for Newmarket

The value of a banner horse for syndicators goes on show March 11 in Australia's premier sprint, with three such 'poster boys' set to contest the 150th running of the Newmarket Handicap (G1) at Flemington Racecourse.

Proven Thoroughbreds' Private Eye, Triple Crown's Mazu, and Bennett Racing's The Astrologist will fly the flag for their ownership concerns in the time-honored straight six contest, in the best kind of advertising a syndicator could hope for in today's ever more crowded market.

With the Peter Moody-trained I Wish I Win and Godolphin's In Secret vying for favoritism last night at around AU$4.20, Private Eye and Mazu were at AU$7.50 and AU$17 respectively, as they seek to become only the second horse in the race's illustrious history to win the event first-up, after Redkirk Warrior in 2017.

The Astrologist was at AU$61 following his first-up 13th in the Oakleigh Plate (G1) at Sandown last month, having started at the same quote in last year's Newmarket when beaten a neck as runner up to 100-1 shot Roch 'n' Horse.

In the cases of Private Eye—who'll jump from barrier 2 under Brenton Avdulla—and the widely-drawn Mazu and The Astrologist, three syndicators will be hoping to again see the benefits to their business of having not just consistent winners but star performers in their shop window.

"If you're getting regular winners, that's pretty good advertising," Proven Thoroughbreds' Jamie Walter said. "But, in a results-based game, you need banner horses to promote your brand, and there's nothing better by way of advertising than big race wins. Potential new owners notice, and for the rank and file racing follower. There's a far greater viewing audience for group 1s than bread and butter races."

Walter had been a syndicator for 20 years before Private Eye brought him his first group 1 in the Epsom Handicap (G1) of 2021. Under the guidance of Walter's long-time trainer Joe Pride—who runs Proven's Sydney battalion while Steve O'Dea and Matt Hoysted train their Brisbane horses—Private Eye has now become not just Walter's finest runner yet but one of the best in Australia at present.

Bought for just AU$62,500 at the Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale of 2019, the 5-year-old gelding has blossomed from winning the Queensland Guineas (G2) in his third stakes start, back in 2021, into a first-rate group 1 performer.

After a moderate last autumn on heavy tracks, his class was confirmed when second to the resurgent Alligator Blood in June's Stradbroke Handicap (G1). Private Eye then did what he's striving to do Saurday—win first-up over the Flemington 1,200 meters—in the Gilgai Stakes (G2), before his second in Giga Kick's Everest over the same trip, and a victory over Mazu in the Nature Strip Stakes at Rosehill. He was then favorite in Flemington's Champions Mile (G1), back to his assumed favorite trip, but his disappointing seventh confirmed him an almost accidental sprinter.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Mazu has traversed a similarly upward trajectory for Triple Crown, his breakout prep last autumn culminating in a fifth straight win of the preparation and a first group 1 success, in the Doomben 10,000 (G1), before a spring highlighted by his Everest third.

Triple Crown has been fortunate to not have to wait long for this stable star, their fifth group 1 winner in their 19 years, and so relatively soon after 2017 and 2018 Everest winner Redzel. Mazu is also already in this year's Everest, with The Star and Arrowfield having filled their 2022 and 2023 slot with him.

"Having a banner horse like this is definitely important," said Triple Crown's Michael Ward. "We're always selling the process that we employ when we're selling our horses. So to have proof in the pudding like Mazu is very important to the business, as it is for all syndicators. Headline horses—people follow them, people are familiar with them, they see those silks and they try to achieve that success themselves."

The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained The Astrologist has come close to providing his syndicators' breakthrough group 1, but has so far had to settle for two group 3s and a listed win, though his AU$2.1 million earnings are hefty compensation.

Founder Nathan Bennett is convinced that as with last year's Newmarket, the 6-year-old is over the odds, saying a first-up 13th in the Oakleigh Plate, from a wide gate, was a typically solid run from the gelding who has largely helped put his six-year-old operation on the map.

"Horses like these put you out there, and it shows we can find a nice horse who can get to the top level," Bennett said. "They're fantastic horses to have, as they bring you success and a lot of fun for owners along the way.

"As a syndicator, it's good to have a poster boy, and I think there'll be a few more flying the flag for us in the next little bit."

Regardless of today's outcome, The Astrologist will bring Bennett Racing further headlines next week, jetting off on Tuesday for the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) on Dubai World Cup night, March 25.