*Article by Mark Smith for breedet
Darley Stud's exciting young stallion Too Darn Hot (GB) is off the mark in Australia, with the Shane Nichols-trained filly Climate Change dominating on debut in Thursday's Wilsons Real Estate Maiden Plate (1100m) at Geelong.
Ridden by Zac Spain, Climate Change controlled the race from the front in the field of five debutants to defeat the Cable Bay filly Cavity Bay by one and three-quarter lengths, with the Turffontein colt Taung a nose back in third.
Despite being the longest-priced runner in the field, Zac Spain labelled Climate Change an ultra-professional.
"She showed very good gate speed. I had to use her to get across, but once there, she came back underneath me and relaxed," Spain said.
"In the straight, I gave her a little squeeze and let her go through her gears. She's not very big, but she pinned her ears back and had a crack.
"She gave me a beautiful ride and is an absolute gem.
"Credit to Shane and the staff for having her here spot on, and it was a great result for a good bunch of owners."
Another promising performer off the hallowed grounds of Segenhoe Stud, Climate Change runs for a big syndicate and carries the colours of her breeder, Peter Horwitz, after being passed in short of her $200,000 reserve at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Too Darn Hot (GB) is a half-sister to the Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes runner-up Drisana out of the Group III SAJC Breeders' Stakes winner Broadband.
Hailing from the prolific family of the champion Anamoe, Broadband has a yearling filly by Merchant Navy and a filly foal by Capitalist.
Climate Change is the first winner from three runners in Australia for triple Group 1 winner Too Darn Hot (GB). His daughter Arabian Summer finished third in the Group III Ottawa Stakes at her career debut. She is an acceptor for Saturday's $250,000 Ballarat Magic Millions 2YO Classic, which she is the early favourite.
The son of Dubawi enjoyed an excellent start to his stud career in Europe with 26 winners from 67 starters, including four Group-winners led by the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine, Fallen Angel.