Winners Keep Coming for Northern Meteor
There was a nose between this pair of Northern Meteor three year-olds in the 1100 metre maiden at Gosford on Thursday and both of them will be winning when they come to town in the near future.
Ill-fated Northern Meteor started the new season just the same way as he ended the last with another new winner in One Step Beyond.
Prepared by Anthony Cummings, One Step Beyond had started only once previously finishing fifth to Sidestep in the Group II ATC Pago Pago Stakes and with a recent trial win under his belt was sent out favourite.
He was made to work to earn the win though, as the Hawkes Racing trained Happy Meteor shot clear turning for home and looked set to score on debut until caught late and beaten a nose with nearly five lengths back to the third horse.
Both geldings came out of the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast, One Step Beyond bought from the Coolmore draft for just $65,000 by Colm Santry, while Happy Meteor fetched $420,000 for Attunga Stud when secured by George Moore Bloodstock.
One Step Beyond is the first foal of Group III winning sprinter Flying Object, a half-sister by Peintre Celebre (USA) to Group II winner Sanziro.
One Step Beyond is the 20th first crop winner for Northern Meteor and is his first of the new season.
The last crop of foals will be born this spring for Northern Meteor, who died at Widden Stud on Tuesday night.