The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable have taken a patient approach with exciting Zoustar colt Space Rider, who made a winning debut at Eagle Farm on Saturday to stake a late claim for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in two weeks time.
Space Rider had shown nice ability in a couple of barrier trials in Sydney in October and then won a trial at Kembla on December 17 with connections electing to head straight to Queensland with the Magic Millions eligible colt.
He lined up in the 1200m juvenile event with Chad Schofield to ride and had way too much talent for runner up Grafterburners, a last start winner, and race favourite Blitzburg, another winner, who was a last start fifth in the Wyong 2YO Classic behind O’Ole.
Chad Schofield has ridden Space Rider in all of his trials so far and now his first win and will be looking to stick with him.
"It was nice and straightforward, gee he is a really nice colt," Schofield said.
"I have ridden him right the way through (in trials) and I have always really liked him, the blinkers went on and it sharpened him up nicely.
"He jumped well today and he got the lead easily, when he travelled as well as he did there, he was always going to be hard to beat, I loved the way he let down when he came off the bridle.
"For a two-year-old colt, he has the most beautiful attitude, he is bombproof and always has been – he helps himself and that takes him a long way."
Space Rider was a $500,000 Magic Millions purchase for Mick Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd/TFI/Dermot Farrington Bloodstock from the Longwood Thoroughbred Farm draft and is a full brother to Group III winner Brereton.
He is the fifth winner from Group III winner Fuddle Dee Duddle, a half-sister to Group II winner Hallowell Belle and to the dam of $20million earning multiple Group I winner Bella Nipotina.
Fuddle Dee Duddle has foaled this spring producing a filly by Zoustar and was then covered by him again.
