Comin’ Through went to paddock an awkward colt and has returned a mature horse, again showing some of the brute power of his half-brother Criterion.
Trainer Chris Waller was content with the four-year-old’s first-up win at Randwick but hinted the $4 favourite would have been even better if not forced to lead from the outset in the Broccolini Handicap over 1400m.
The Fastnet Rock horse, who hadn’t tasted victory since the Carbine Club Stakes last October, shares blood with multiple Group One winner and Cox Plate placegetter Criterion through their dam Mica’s Pride.
But he wasn’t able to live up to expectation in the autumn when his four runs brought only placings in the Hobartville Stakes and Randwick Guineas.
“Paddock watchers would have seen a different horse all together,” Waller said.
“He was like a two-year-old last prep and is now looking like a mature horse.”
Michael Walker said while a strong tailwind helped record a final 600m of 33.08 seconds, Comin’ Through still had more to give.
“He’s got 60.5kg on his back and he’s just turned four and he was half-hearted so it’s a pretty good effort,” he said.
“He was running in and out. As soon as I take the sit four or fifth back, he’ll be a different horse.”
A neck behind was stablemate and import Life Less Ordinary ($10) whose outlook appears to now the Melbourne Cup 2017.
“He’ll compete in some good races and hopefully he gets to Melbourne,” Waller said.
“I’d say Metropolitan or the Bart Cummings would be his first serious distance target.”
