Don Corleone (AUS)
Don Corleone (AUS)
2 c Extreme Choice – Snipzu by Snippetson
O: Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Newgate S F, Horse Ventures, Go Bloodstock Australia, Starlight Racing, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem, Aston Bloodstock, Nick Vass Bloodstock & Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd
B: Gilgai Farm
T: Peter & Paul Snowden
S: 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale V: Gilgai Farm P: China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock, $650,000
W: Petaluma Handicap, 1000m, January 21, Randwick
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Don Corleone (Extreme Choice) threw his hat into the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) ring when overcoming trouble in running to make a successful debut over 1000 metres at Randwick on Saturday.
Ridden by James McDonald in the colours of owners China Horse Club, the two-year-old son of Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) had shown plenty of promise with a barrier trial win over 850 metres on September 19, coming home a length to the good over subsequent Breeders’ Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) third Physical Graffiti (Russian Revolution).
Sporting blinkers, Don Corleone raced wide throughout after jumping from an outside barrier but quickened well inside the final 200 metres to comfortably beat the $1.7 million I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) filly Kundalini by three-quarters of a length with a further three lengths back to Coincide (Invader) in third place.
“He has always been a nice horse who has shown a fair bit at home,” Peter Snowden said.
“His trials have been ok, so I put the blinkers on to make a statement and make sure he is the horse I believe him to be.
“There is plenty of him, and he is tough and has plenty going for him. He has got a great attitude and is very laid back.
“Sprinting is not his go, but he made a statement today that he knows what racing is about and delivered in spades.”
Bred by Gilgai Farm, Don Corleone was the third-most expensive lot sold at the 2021 National Weanling Sale when realising $650,000.
Out of the winning Group 3-placed Snippetson (Snippets) mare Snipzu, he is a half-brother to four winners, including the JJ Atkins Plate (Gr 1, 1600m)-placed The Drinks Cart (Unencumbered). Not served in 2020, Snipzu foaled a Written Tycoon (Iglesia) filly on November 20. Extreme Choice stands for a fee of $275,000 (inc GST).