Trainer John McArdle has stated that young gun Hydro Star will stay in Australia after a stunning debut at Sandown.
The two-year-old colt blew the field apart in the last 200m, winning by two lengths despite jockey Jamie Mott easing up before the post.
Hydro Star has plenty of raw talent and will improve with distance! @RedgumRacing @jamieleemott pic.twitter.com/HoUJc63dA1
— Racing.com (@Racing) July 22, 2020
The win was enough to cause speculation of overseas offers, however, in an interview on RSN 927, McArdle explained that it was only speculation and that the exciting youngster would be staying down nuder.
“Probably not as much [interest] as you’d think, but people have been put off by the fact that James O’Brien and his family had shopped him around to some agents and were saying that when we trialled this horse, he’d be able to go to Hong Kong,” he said.
“We’d also said actually he’s off the market – we’re going to keep him racing, which has probably dulled their [interest] a little bit.
“I haven’t spoken to James this morning, but after the race yesterday, at this stage, he’ll be staying in Australia to race.
“He was with his mother, and it was probably a bit of an emotional day for them and his sisters … it was nice to provide them with that moment to remember Kevin that way.”
McArdle went on to suggest that the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the Caulfield Guineas could be on the horizon for Hydro Star.
The colt was sired by Headwater out of the dam Final Star. Headwater was a Group 2 winner, claiming victory in the Silver Slipper back in 2015. He ran at Group 1 level but was never able to break through with a win.
