Short-priced favourite Colleano looked in dire straits when the debutant Quickstar entered the fray in the straight, but the son of Trapeze Artist rallied to break his maiden at start two on the Pakenham Synthetic on Wednesday.
Answering every call of Ben Melham, Colleano defeated the Shamus Award filly Quickster by a half-neck, with the Dundeel colt Hyperman one and a half lengths back in third.
Colleano’s manners have improved dramatically from his debut when an erratic third at Geelong in August.
“He landed in a good spot and had the run of the race and was holding the second horse on the line,” Kent said.
“I’m delighted for the horse and connections. He is half-owned by new client Mitch Lowe’s Viva Racing, who are buying some nice horses and existing clients.
“I think he would enjoy a touch further; we were looking forward to 1300m today, had it been at Cranbourne.
He has a beautiful nature: he’s a gelding and has had a tie-back, which seems successful. He is not making a noise.
“He has decent form, and Moody told me before the race he really likes his horse (Quickster). So, the form might be OK.”
A half-brother to the dual Listed winner Palazzo Pubblico (Conatus), Colleano was a $150,000 purchase for Mick Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd/Viva Racing from the Westbury Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the sixth winner from eight to race for the unraced General Nediym mare Piazza Del Campo, a daughter of the star Tasmanian mare My Sienna (Weasel Clause), whose six wins included the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes and Group II Wakeful Stakes, and was runner-up in the Group 1 VRC Oaks.
Piazza Del Campo died last December. Her final foal is a 2yo colt by All Too Hard.
Widden Stud’s Trapeze Artist has made an encouraging start to the new season and sits atop the second-season sires on earnings.
