Fortuna 3yo COLORADO PRINCE wins on debut
Story contributors Jeff Dore and John Galvin
A half-brother to stakes winning stable-mates Darci’s Dream and Windborne, both by Darci Brahma (Danehill), Colorado Prince scored on debut in the B & B Contracting Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 2 January at Tauherenikau.
Having produced a pleasing gallop to finish third when trialling over 1200 metres on 13 December at Te Aroha, Colorado Prince (3 g Alamosa – Sweet Dreams Baby, by Van Nistelrooy), presented in terrific order for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards and despite receiving no favours through the run he displayed some resounding attributes to score narrowly.
In the hands of talented rider Hayden Tinsley, Colorado Prince got his head up in the early shuffle for positions and ended up three wide without cover. Held together in fourth at the 600m, he was coaxed into second a furlong out and extended fully under persuasion when challenged near the line. Click HERE to see race result and Video replay
“He was good before the race, pretty relaxed about the whole experience and Hayden said that although a bit green he was pretty happy with how he found the line,” said Te Akau Racing Manager Brad Taylor.
Bred by Te Akau principal David Ellis & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, he is owned by the Fortuna Colorado Prince Syndicate, managed by John Galvin, who also had Darci’s Dream and Windborne under his Fortuna banner.
Darci’s Dream won the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) before finishing second to Platinum Witness in the 2014 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), while her year younger sister Windborne won the Murdoch Newell Stakes as a two-year-old and also won the Canterbury Belle Stakes as a three-year-old.
“John Galvin bought the first two filly foals out of this mare and Colorado Prince was a really lovely strong yearling, and it was a good effort to win today,” Ellis said. “He was three wide and really showed a bit of ticker, and I was really pleased for John (Galvin) because the Fortuna team had some bad luck yesterday with Dame Margo Fonteyn being a late withdrawal from the Royal Stakes at Ellerslie – it looked a winnable race for her. John is a true sportsman and he understands that these sorts of things can happen with thoroughbreds. He runs a terrific ship at Fortuna and he’s great to train for, and I’m really thrilled that another horse with the DE brand won for him – that’s three from three.
On Good3 footing, Colorado Prince ran the 1400 metres in 1:25.7, paid $5.40 & $1.90 on the tote and $4.80 fixed.
“It was a really good win, especially after being caught wide, three deep without cover, and he stuck to the task really well,” co Trainer Jamie Richards said, “He’s a lovely big horse, but has taken a bit of making and can be quite green in his action. Across the top you could see him get a bit awkward, but then he found a good rhythm in the straight. Hayden (Tinsley) said that when he balanced up he just took a little while to find his action, but he really attacked the line strong. We think he has the makings of a horse that is going to continue to improve, his trials had been good and it’s great to have another winner for John Galvin and the Fortuna team.”
Fortuna Director John Galvin, who could not attend today’s Tauherenikau meeting was understandably very pleased for his charge, “Patience is a virtue at any time, but never more so in horse racing – and we have been particularly patient with this horse – it is now paying off – hats off to Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) for producing this horse to win on debut. We have a great crew of owners, many of whom were in the two half sisters and also two sets of new owners for whom this was their very first race day runner,” he said.
Colorado Prince was acquired by John Galvin at the 2015 Karaka Select Sale for $90,ooo and is raced by the Colorado Prince Syndicate, an ownership group of 29 individuals.