Peter Snowden believes Galah will be an autumn Derby horse after watching him come from last to win the Listed Lightway Australia Stakes at Caulfield.
The three-year-old colt is superbly bred being by champion sire Redoute’s Choice out of Australasian Oaks winner Rinky Dink.
Bred and raced by Darley, he is the first foal of the mare and has raced four times, completing a hat-trick on Saturday following wins at Rosehill over 1400m in June and a first-up victory over 1300m at Warwick Farm earlier this month.
His trainer said Galah had been a lightish horse but really furnished during his latest spell.
“He’s a beautiful horse now and everything is there to come and the trip away will do him the world of good,” Snowden said.
“I reckon in the autumn he’ll be a Derby type colt. This is just a learning curve we’ll get him to the mile next in the Carbine Club Stakes and then the Sandown Guineas.”
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy in the 1400m event, Galah ($5.50) ran down race leader and $3.40 favourite Masthead to score by a half-neck with Highly Recommended ($13) 2-3/4 lengths away third.
“We didn’t really want to go back to last but Kerrin bit the bullet early because he thought he was going to be three and four deep,” Snowden said.
“He got a bit lost on each corner but when he knuckled down in the last 200 metres he was very strong. He’s done it the same every start he’s had and I’m sure once he gets further he’ll be a better horse.
“He’s a quality horse and you’ve only got to look at him to see that. He has got an Aussie name but he’s no mug.
“We’ve had a few Redoute’s Choices and haven’t had much luck with them. Let’s hope this fellow turns it around.”
McEvoy was impressed with the colt too.
“He took a while to get there but it was superb effort to win from back where he was,” he said.
AAP TURF
