Mark Newnham was outbid when trying to buy a yearling by Spieth at the 2021 Magic Millions Sale but as fate would have it, the horse found its way into his stable regardless.
Missing out to Capri Racing and Syndications, Newnham was subsequently approached to train the $85,000 purchase, despite the fact he had been incognito when bidding over the phone from Sydney.
The yearling was Lavish Empire, a now three-year-old who will attempt to take his record to two wins from as many starts at Randwick on Saturday.
“I was actually the underbidder on the horse and then they asked me to take it, which was easy to say yes to because I liked it,” Newnham said.
“He was a good type and I thought he was good value.”
Lavish Empire made a dazzling start to his career with a 7-1/2 length romp at Canterbury earlier this month.
While conceding the small field and heavy conditions might have flattered the gelding, Newnham has seen enough at home to know Lavish Empire is not simply a wet track wonder.
“I think he was flattered by the fact it was four runners, and he handled the ground very well,” Newnham said.
“But he has shown enough talent on dry ground as well in his work and his trials, so I’m not going there thinking he is just a wet tracker.
“His first ever trial he was placed behind (Group 3 winner) Kibou.
“He has shown good talent right from the start, he has just taken a while to mature but he’s there in good shape now.”
While Sydney’s race programming almost necessitates taking a midweek maiden winner straight to Saturday grade, Newnham is buoyed by the fact that rival and early race favourite Passeggiata successfully made a similar leap last start.
The Bjorn Baker-trained filly backed up a debut win at Gosford to score at Rosehill two weeks ago and is an early $2.70 favourite to make it three on end, with Lavish Empire second pick at $6.
“It’s a good race and the logical favourite in the race showed that you can go from a maiden to winning in Saturday grade,” Newnham said.
“It will be a very competitive field and we’ll see where he sits.”
The Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) is the feature race at Randwick and has attracted a field of nine with the Joe Pride-trained Titanium Power ($3.60 at Unibet.com.au) heading betting.