RARELY are the raps so big on a horse winning its maiden at far-flung Mildura.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But such was the impressiveness from the Arthur Pace-trained Colsridge in winning the four-year-old and upwards 1200m on day one of the Mildura Cup Carnival on Friday, that the plaudits were quick to flow.
Easily the most convincing was jockey Dean Holland, who piloted the lightly-raced four-year-old gelding to an eye-catching 3.5 length win, which came with the caveat of plenty of promise ahead.
The 32-year-old, who notched a double following his win in the next race aboard the Paul Preusker-trained Hangyourhat, was ever prepared to be patient on Colsridge after drawing barrier eight in the 10-horse field.
"I went out with an open mind because he had a sticky barrier - (but) I was able to overcome that in the first 300m," he told broadcaster Racing.com.
"I probably could have gone forward early, but Arthur just said he's probably missed a little bit of work with him and he had him in the other week and the race got called off.
"I didn't want to use him early and peak late, so I rode him to finish off.
"He's a really nice horse - he laid out from about the 700m because he's so big and gangly still, but he really balanced up in the straight.
"He felt like a really nice horse to me. I know it's only a maiden at Mildura, but judging on that performance, once he improves he will be a really nice horse around Flemington."
Colsridge ($2.50) started a short-priced favourite on the strength of a pair of jumpout wins on his home track at Bendigo on June 22 and July 6.
Among those he beat home in the first jumpout, the Brendon Hearps-trained Zoutons finished second on Friday at Mildura, while Just Folk will run at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon for his trainer Josh Julius.
Holland insisted his confidence in Colsridge had grown quickly once the gelding worked his way into contention four-wide before the corner.
"It's never nice when you present them and they don't corner - some of them don't finish off after that," he said.
"But to his credit, once he balanced up, he was really good. He was still a bit wayward in the straight too."
A satisfying victory gave Colsridge's trainer his second win this season from only nine starters.
Pace notched his previous most recent win with Hay Cliffy at Donald last September.
Colsridge, by Canford Cliffs out of Two Hills, was having his first start in six months, having finished third on debut at Yarra Valley in January.
I know it's only a maiden at Mildura, but judging on that performance, once he improves he will be a really nice horse around Flemington.
- Jockey Dean Holland
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News