Money From The Sky is the biggest thoroughbred Mark Newnham has trained and the astute horseman won’t be surprised to see the three-year-old reach similarly great heights on the racetrack.
The untapped talent has been a work in progress, mainly due to his size, but he finally put it all together with a last-to-first win at Goulburn on March 11 to earn his spot in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Tipping the scales at 580 kilos, Money From The Sky has the height and length to match his bulk but it has taken time and maturity for him to grow into his hulking frame.
“He is probably the biggest horse I’ve had,” Newnham said.
“He’s long, he’s tall, he’s wide. He is just big everywhere.
“He is a massive horse and that has been the speed hump so far. He’s had plenty of talent, but he has lacked the strength to carry his big frame.
“It has just taken a while for his brain and body to work as one.”
Money From The Sky is an $11 chance in an open edition of the Tulloch Stakes in which the Chris Waller-trained Sword Point is a $5 favourite.
While the star three-year-olds generally use the Rosehill Guineas as an Australian Derby lead-up, Saturday’s race has traditionally been the pathway for the later-maturing and more dour staying types.
Four of the past five Derby winners have claimed the Tulloch Stakes on the way through, a statistic Newnham was mindful of when planning Money From The Sky’s campaign.
“Absolutely,” Newnham said.
“Generally, these are the types of horses that end up in the Tulloch Stakes because they’re getting to their right distance for the first time.
“They may not have a lot of exposed form, but they end up being good horses and four of the last five Derby winners have come out of the Tulloch Stakes.”
Quick Thinker was the last to claim the double in 2020 and his trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will have two runners on Saturday, headed by New Zealand Derby placegetter Regal Lion .