Well-bred 3YO strikes early

West Indies has a rich pedigree to live up to and the three-year-old has made a promising start.The Ciaron Maher-trained representative followed up a promising effort for fourth on debut at Hawkesbury with his maiden victory at Kembla Grange.The son of Fastnet Rock was opposed by three rivals over 1400 metres, but he can only beat what’s in front of him and he did that in gallant fashion in the hands of apprentice Zac Wadick.West Indies cleared the gates well to set a leisurely pace and he dug deep in the run home when under siege to open his winning account.“He’s a well-bred horse who will certainly appreciate further in trip and hopefully he’ll measure up to city class,” stable representative Liam Ruddy said.We bred West Indies with the Fastnet Rock Syndicate and he was a popular youngster when offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was knocked down to Maher and Astute Bloodstock for A$520,000.He is out of the Irish-bred Galileo mare Anchovy, whose first foal Sailing Away has been a winner for Te Akau, and her Almanzor colt was secured on the Gold Coast earlier this year by Dynamic Syndications and Dean Watt Bloodstock for A$125,000.Anchovy, who had a colt by Hello Youmzain last season before a return visit, is out of a stakes-performed half-sister to the Group 1 winners and sires Duke Of Marmalade and Ruler Of The World.