Caulfield trainer Byron Cozamanis may have unearthed his first Blue Diamond Stakes runner after well-bred two-year-old Repousser scored an impressive debut win at Moonee Valley.
Cozamanis said the youngster had raced back in all his jump outs but was pleased with the way he switched on to land Saturday night’s Chandler Macleod Plate (1000m).
“It is a little bit of a surprise,” Cozamanis said.
“I just thought he would be back too far but he jumped and was on the pace.
“I was very happy at the 800 metre mark because I knew he would run home well.”
Ridden by Billy Egan, Repousser mustered good speed to be third behind tearaway leader Infinite Fortune, who is trained by David Hayes and was the only runner with race experience in the field.
However, Repousser had her well covered in the straight and was strong to the line scoring a three-quarter length win from the Peter Snowden-trained Belisama, who came from last.
Infinite Fortune tired to finish another 4-1/4 lengths away third.
Repousser, who was a $52,500 Melbourne premier yearling, is a son of former top sprinter Choisir from former Group Two Sunline Stakes winner Spurn.
“He’s always shown us something but looked a bit immature,” Cozamanis said.
“Even in his jump outs he would be back last and run home.
“We probably thought all along he would be a three-year-old but he has done everything right and he was pretty impressive tonight.
“We will play it by ear and see how he pulls up but he’s been nominated for the Blue Diamond in February so we will sit down tomorrow and talk about it.”
AAP TURF
