As a half-brother to Predatory Pricer (Street Cry) and Takeover Target, Dubawi two-year-old Wilful Default will always attract attention and trainer Paul Murray is confident that his colt has the necessary ability to increase his family’s good record.
His second barrier trial took place on his home track at Kembla Grange where Wilful Default jumped well to take the lead, controlling the tempo before accelerating nicely to take the trial by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Commands two-year-old filly Miss Direct. The third horse was more than ten lengths adrift of the first two home.
“He did what we wanted him to do and was very strong on the line,” stated Murray after the 800m trial. “He has shown us all along that he was an early-comer and he ran a good sectional there today.”
Murray also indicated that the colt was more than likely to make his first race day appearance at Rosehill on 31 October over 1100m.
Wilful Defeat is from the first crop of Europe’s leading first-season sire and was purchased by Murray from the draft of Segenhoe Stud at the 2009 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $425,000, making him the highest priced yearling by Dubawi sold in the southern hemisphere. He is out of the Archregent mare Shady Stream, whose excellent record of four to race for four winners bodes well for the chances of Wilful Default.
Dubawi stands this season at Kelvinside at a fee of $16,500 plus GST.
