Colorado Prince Tough on Debut

A half-brother to stakes' winning stable-mates Darci's Dream and Windborne, both by Darci Brahma (Danehill), Colorado Prince (3 g Alamosa - Sweet Dreams Baby, by Van Nistelrooy) 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 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.

“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 their banner.

Darci's Dream won the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) before finishing second to Platinum Witness (California Dane) in the 2014 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), while her year-younger sister Windborne was a stakes' winner as a two-year-old and also won the Canterbury Belle Stakes.

“John Galvin bought the first two filly foals out of this mare on my recommendation and Colorado Prince was 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 they had some bad luck yesterday with Dame Margo Fonteyn being a late withdrawal from the Royal Stakes at Ellerslie. And it looked a winnable race for her.

“John is a true sportsman and he understands that these sorts of things can happen with animals. 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 - so that's three from three.

“Sweet Dreams Baby has a lovely Darci Brahma colt foal (brother to Darci's Dream & Windborne) that will be going to the 2018 yearling sales at Karaka.

“Hayden Tinsley doesn't ride for us a lot but has certainly had success before for the stable such as when Kindacross won the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes [Group One],” said Ellis.

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,” 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 strongly.   We think he has the makings of 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.

Ellis was to the fore in the breeding, and owning, stakes recently when smart two-year-old filly Nucleonic (Burgundy) scored decisively on debut over 1000 metres on 27 December at New Plymouth.

Colorado Prince was strapped by Daniel Miller.

“He's one of the best young men Te Akau has ever had,” said Ellis, of Miller. “When he travels horses you know how well they will be looked after and he's done a great job with this horse on debut”.

“Our racing manager Brad Taylor was at Ellerslie yesterday, Tauherenikau today, and it's just another example of how dedicated and hard working my team is,” Ellis said.
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