A stakes assignment in Queensland awaits expensive colt Central Coast after he managed to extricate himself from an awkward position to post a strong midweek win at Canterbury.
A $1.4 million yearling purchase, Central Coast is by exciting stallion Wootton Bassett out of former top mare Sunlight and raced by a syndicate that includes breeders Coolmore.
After being narrowly defeated by stablemate Autumn Boy on debut, Central Coast ($1.40 fav with online bookmakers) appeared set to suffer a similar fate on Wednesday when he was held up behind a wall of horses at the top of the straight.
But jockey Adam Hyeronimus didnât panic, angling the colt around heels and Central Coast showed his class to power to the line and take out the Myplates Handicap (1250m) by a long neck over his Chris Waller-trained stablemate Crossbow ($19).
Kokatahi ($13) was a similar margin away third to give Waller the trifecta.
Deputising for the champion trainer, who is in the UK for the Royal Ascot carnival, assistant Charlie Duckworth said the stable had a good opinion of the winner and hoped to give him a black-type opportunity in the coming weeks.
âThere is a Listed 1400 metre race in ten days in Queensland,â Duckworth said.
âHe can either go there, or ultimately he will spell and start again for a big three-year-old year.
âThe horse he âquinellaedâ with the other day (Autumn Boy) is going up there as well so weâre hoping itâs the right form line. They will probably end up facing each other again.
âHe is part of a coltsâ syndicate so being a two-year-old winner is one thing, but if you can get black-type on the board as well it adds to his whole credentials.â
Central Coast was a pick-up ride for Hyeronimus, who replaced an ill Nash Rawiller, and the juvenile didnât make the hoopâs job easy when he got on the bridle mid-race.
But Hyeronimus felt that was due more to a moderate tempo that poor manners and was taken by the youngsterâs ability to overcome a tricky situation in the straight.
âThe speed was OK, not spectacular, so him being a bit strong wasnât a negative on him,â Hyeronimus said.
âBut I was in an awkward position for him to get out and for him to accelerate the way he has accelerated is really good.
âHeâs got a two-year-old win today and Iâm sure that will mean something later in his career.â
Hyeronimus made it a double a race later when he brought Tulloch Lodge debutante Kakadu Sunset ($10) with a strong run to overhaul barn mate Avenue Montaigne ($4.20) by a half-neck in the Ranvet Handicap (1250m).
Ernaux ($2.70 fav), a $3 million yearling purchase for John Stewartâs Resolute Racing, was another neck away third after travelling on the speed throughout.