Columbus On Course For Spring
- Saturday, 05 June 2010 03:59
Beautifully-bred colt Columbus has an exciting spring carnival ahead of him after he stormed home to win his race debut at Flemington.
A $1.2 million yearling, the Redoute's Choice two-year-old is a son of Group One-winning mare Kapchat and it looks just a matter of time before he becomes her sixth stakeswinner.
Ridden by Brad Rawiller, Columbus had impressed in jumpouts at Flemington and was dominant at the finish of Saturday's Von Costa De Hero Handicap (1000m).
Revved up over the last 200 metres, the David Hayes-trained youngster came out after the leaders with gusto and hit the line a length ahead of impressive Bendigo debut winner Liveandletdie with Oregon Spirit the same margin back third.
Hayes' racing manager Tom Dabernig said Columbus was a quality galloper and would immediately have a let-up before reappearing in the spring, possibly in the Group Three Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in early September.
"He will go back to Lindsay Park to have a bit like a VIP freshen-up and be back for the good races over the spring," Dabernig said.
"He is a very laid-back sort of colt and I'm sure he will take great benefit from that run.
"He is still a bit big and burly so there are probably better things to come."
Hayes has given Columbus time to mature with shin-soreness delaying his race debut.
"We didn't really want to rush him but you'll see the best of him as a three-year-old for sure," Dabernig said.
"He has a stallion's pedigree and I'm sure the form out of the race will stack up.
"We thought the 1000 metres might be a bit nippy for him and will see the best of him over 1200 metres or 1400 metres around a bend.
"I liked the way he clocked off and came from back in the field and was really strong on the post."
Rawiller said Columbus impressed him with his finishing burst.
"The last 100 metres he was quite strong after being out in the open for a fair way," Rawiller said.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
