Coleman has leapt to the top of markets for Melbourne’s premier juvenile race after a comprehensive first-up win at Caulfield.
After a troubled early start to his autumn campaign, Coleman took out the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) on Saturday to remain unbeaten after a debut win at the track in the spring.
Betting outlets reacted to the victory with the Matt Laurie-trained colt firming from as much as $11 into $4 favouritism for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 24.
Heavily backed to run the $2.10 favourite under Ben Melham, Coleman scored by 2-¾ lengths from Eneeza ($2.40) with Counteroffensive ($8.50) a length away third.
The 1000m journey was run in 56.71 secs, lowering the class record by 0.31 sec.
Laurie said he was impressed with the way Coleman was able to put away his four rivals after Counteroffensive set a blistering early speed.
“He’s an impressive colt and it’s a very exciting few weeks ahead,” Laurie said.
“It was a concern coming here today to a five-horse field and they sit up and walk and maybe he doesn’t get enough out of it.
“It seemed as though the Snowden horse was going to lead at all costs, so that gave us a bit of comfort, and in the end, we achieved the spot that we thought we would.
“He’s going to learn a lot from today too.”
Laurie said Coleman had a tough start to his campaign, firstly a virus, and then growing pains, put the colt on the back foot.
But trials at Caulfield and Mornington in successive weeks had Coleman is top order for Saturday.
Laurie said the three-week gap to the Blue Diamond was ideal, allowing of time to get over Saturday’s win.
“He’s a pretty clean-winded style of horse and the three weeks is perfect,” Laurie said.
“I just wanted to get today over with because if he’s as good as we think he is, he should be winning, so today is really going to help me enjoy the next few weeks.”
Melham said Coleman was the reason behind pushing himself a little harder to get back into the saddle after a hip operation at the end of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
He said he was also mindful of not giving Coleman too hard a run with the Blue Diamond in mind.
“The leader did ping off the turn, but he’s a very good colt my bloke,” Melham said.
“He does what good horses do, picks himself up, dusts himself off, and then won pretty convincingly in the end.
“He’s got a pretty good constitution, but I’m glad we’ve got three weeks into the Diamond now after the tough start to the campaign.
“He’ll be peaking on the day.”
