The Canonbury Stakes produced a juvenile performance of rare authority at Rosehill, with Hidrix announcing himself as a colt of genuine consequence through a commanding debut victory in the Group 3 contest.
Trained by Chris Waller, the Extreme Choice colt travelled strongly throughout and put the race to bed with a decisive turn of foot, marking him as one of the most forward two-year-olds seen this season. The manner of the win, rather than the margin alone, ensured the Canonbury Stakes result will resonate well beyond the afternoon’s racing.
Settling comfortably before being asked to lengthen in the straight, Hidrix showed both composure and acceleration, drawing clear late while still under restraint close home. The ride suggested there was considerably more in reserve, a point later reinforced by those closest to the colt.
Bred by Kate Nivison, Hidrix is out of Shadow and was secured at last year’s Easter Yearling Sale from the Coolmore draft by a partnership involving Waller, Guy Mulcaster and Ricky Surace’s B2B Thoroughbreds. For Nivison, the victory carried deep personal meaning.
Overcome by emotion after the race, she described the result as the fulfilment of her breeding philosophy — producing sound, competitive racehorses capable of performing on the track when it matters most.
Surace echoed the sense of surprise at how decisively the colt put the race away. While connections had expected a positive showing first-up, the ease with which Hidrix extended through the line prompted immediate reassessment of his ceiling.
Importantly, the colt had not shaped as an early type during his formative weeks. It was only after a recent workout under James McDonald that confidence truly lifted, with the rider reporting an unexpectedly sharp and balanced feel.
Canonbury Stakes Win Highlights Extreme Choice Influence
Hidrix is part-owned by Henry Field and Newgate Farm, home to his sire Extreme Choice, whose impact on Australian sprint pedigrees continues to deepen despite limited books. Field described the stallion’s consistency as extraordinary, noting that upcoming yearling sales would feature one of the strongest representations of his progeny assembled to date.
Across the next two months, buyers will have multiple chances to inspect Extreme Choice stock, with offerings spread across the Classic, Premier and Easter Yearling Sales at Riverside and Oaklands. Inspections for the Classic Sale commence on Monday.
Earlier in the day, another smart two-year-old performance was recorded when Big Sky, by Bivouac, claimed the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. The colt remained unbeaten with a decisive three-length success, further strengthening the depth of this juvenile crop.
Sales activity also continued to build momentum, with two supplementary entries confirmed for the Classic Sale, adding further quality to an already competitive catalogue.
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