Juvenile galloper Coleman has lived up to the high expectations placed on him ahead of his first start at Caulfield.
Those that supported the son of Pierata into $2.20 favouritism with online bookies in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) on Wednesday had little cause for concerns as Ben Melham guided the colt to a 1-¼ length win.
Trainer Matt Laurie had hoped for a little more speed in the 1000m contest as Coleman did not like being restrained behind other horses early in the race.
But when Melham was able to angle out into the clear, Coleman extended nicely to race to go on to score a convincing win.
“I think that will be good for him long term,” Laurie said.
“We don’t want him to be just a jump and run horse. It’s very hard for those types of horses to continue on through their grades, so we want to teach them how to settle and round it off.
“He was green, as you would expect, but he delivered when he was placed under pressure by Ben and he’s only going to get better.
“He’s a lovely horse and there was a lot of expectation today, not only from the market, but from our stable and I’m just glad that it’s come off.”
Coleman was purchased at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast for $550,000 in January and is the first winner of his sire Pierata.
Laurie has the option of taking Coleman to the Gold Coast for the rich Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January, although he said early thoughts were to remain in Melbourne and chase victory in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in February.
“Personally, I would prefer to focus here, but that will be a discussion amongst the group,” Laurie said.
“I would rather focus on a Group 1 with him and try and make him a stallion.
“I think it’s pretty hard to go up there, go the reverse way, and then kick on to those other places, so I’d like to keep it simple.”