It was no shock to see Bennett Racing secure Colorado Cruz, who makes her debut in Tuesday’s VOBIS Gold Strike at Warrnambool, at last year’s Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
A daughter of Nicconi and the Pentire mare Cruz By, Colorado Cruz is a half-sister to Defiant Diva, who the Bennett Racing team have enjoyed good success with.
Defiant Diva (Dissident) had won two of four starts before Colorado Cruz was offered for sale and while Nathan Bennett said that connection piqued their interest it was not the sole reason they went again with the family.
“If they are a half or a full (to one of ours) we always have a look at them, especially we have had a bit of success with the family, but if they don’t tick the boxes we don’t buy them just because they’re a half to one of ours,” he said.
‘But she made our final cut. The vet’s liked her, she ticked everything off, but she looked a little bit differently to Defiant Diva.
“She looked more of a sprinting type rather than a staying type. She was just a lovely filly who ticked all the boxes.”
Bennett landed Colorado Cruz, who was offered by Balcrest Stud, for $80,000 and many of the group involved in Defiant Diva have also come along for the ride.
Like Defiant Diva, Colorado Cruz is trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and her preparations have included a couple of Flemington 800m jumpouts, including a hard-held win in the latest, on April 14.
The $125,000 VOBIS Gold Strike (1000m) – which the Corstens stable won last year with New York Baby – was chosen as a kick-off point over Saturday’s juvenile race at Sandown, in which she was also an acceptor.
“It’s a good race to look towards. The fact it’s a fillies race really stands out,” Bennett said.
“She can stick with her own sex and age level and see how she goes. I think she’ll be up on pace, make her own luck and take a bit of running down.”
Damien Oliver, who has done the bulk of key lead-up work on Colorado Cruz, will ride on Tuesday with the pair to jump from barrier four in the field of 12.
