Top return from smart youngster

Mark down Hello Youmzain three-year-old Azarax as a three-year-old to follow through the autumn.

The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained representative made an impressive return to action at Hawkesbury where he wound up powerfully to score over 1300 metres for rider Dylan Gibbons.

Azarax was unbeaten in his first two starts before he was unplaced in the Listed Dulcify Stakes at Randwick and was sent for a break.

“He came back had two good trials before this, so he’s done very well,” Jordan O’Shea said.

Azarax settled in behind the pace in the fence and hit top gear late to overpower his Benchmark 64 opposition.

“I would have been happy to get third at one point, he really savaged the line late,” O’Shea said.

Bred by Sir Patrick and Justine Hogan, Azarax was bought out of Curraghmore’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $190,000 by Laurel Oak Bloodstock, John O’Shea Racing and James Bester Bloodstock.

He is a son of the Tavistock mare Sunny Rose, a sister to the G1 Australian Derby winner Tavago and the family of the G2 Winter Stakes winner and dual Group 1 placegetter La Sizeranne.

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