Supremo Colt Wins in Australia

Supremo, the Gone West son now at Blue Ridge Farm gained his biggest [southern] success on Aug. 31 when his second crop son, Sportsman, landed the Peter Pan Stakes (Aust-II) at Sydney's Rosehill oval. Australia's Peter Pan, contested over 1,500 meters by spring 3-year-olds is named for the Australian champion who won two Melbourne Cups.

This edition was a little substandard, but Sportsman was impressive in defeating the also game Takas by a short head in 1:29.68. The runner-up is by Quest For Fame and part of the huge Jack and Bob Ingham string conditioned by John Hawkes.

For the owners of Sportsman this Peter Pan was a fairytale result. The gelded 3-year-old is trained by Greg Hickman, a former barn foreman for Hawkes. Hickman paid $8,000 (Australian funds) for the winner of $152,000 gleaned from four wins, from eight starts. His purchase price was small potatoes compared to the large outlay by the late Prince Ahmed Salman to secure Supremo as a 2-year-old at Keeneland in April, 1994.

Supremo shuttled from Lane's End to Brian Agnew's Wakefield Stud for three years from 1996. After disappointing early results, the Norfolk Stakes (gr.II) winner was relocated to Virginia last year.

Sportsman is a sibling to Anabaa colt King of Prussia, twice graded placed in Australia at three last season, their dam Centaine mare Professionelle. The Darryl McLellan-partnered Sportsman was having his first attempt beyond 1,200 meters in the Peter Pan and will advance to the Gloaming  (Aust-II) and possibly the Spring Champion Stakes (Aust-I) at 1,800 and 2,000 meters where, perhaps, more fame and fortune await.