Bullarook Park freshman Strategic Maneuver gave Malcolm Boyd a winning welcome-home present on Saturday.

The Avenel studmaster is recovering after back surgery but he was in high spirits after Tempt Me Not raced away to a hollow victory at Newcastle.  She sprinted quickly from midfield to defeat Godolphin filly Lycia (Medaglia D’oro) by five lengths in the Pantry Packers 2YO Plate (1200m).

Tempt Me Not is a homebred for Gooree Stud’s Eduardo Cojuangco and goes into the records books as the first winner by Strategic Maneuver.  “She should have won before now,” Boyd declared.  “She was fifth in the Widden Stakes and was only beaten a length in her last two starts at Randwick and Warwick Farm.

“We booked over 100 mares to Strategic Maneuver in his first two books and another 92 in his third so now it’s up to him.  He’s only had five starters to date but all the feedback from trainers tells me there are plenty more ready to run in the next couple of months.”

The Newcastle winner is trained by Bart & James Cummings and is from a very successful family developed by Cojuangco.  Her dam Ganda (Encosta de Lago) is a daughter of G1 Vinery Stakes winner Tempest Morn.

“We sold a Strategic Maneuver filly that topped Day 3 at the Adelaide Magic Millions,” Boyd said.  “She made $87,500 and we’ve got another 8 of his yearlings for the VOBIS Gold Sale next month.”

Strategic Maneuver is bred on the same Royal Academy – Vain cross as Bel Esprit.  He won on debut at Randwick but broke a pedal bone second time out at Canterbury.

Boyd stands Strategic Maneuver alongside Lucas Cranach (Ire) at Bullarook Park in Victoria.  He will make a decision in the next month or two whether to keep his fee at $4,400 (inc gst) this year.

STRATEGIC MANEUVER