With the first season stallions going 1-2-3-4 in the fillies division, it took the champion Snitzel to halt the run in the colts and gelding division of the 2yo maiden (1200m) at Canterbury, when the favourite Cork Harbour rallied to hold the challenge of the Star Turn colt Astrologer.
Given a positive ride by James McDonald, Cork Harbour dominated the race from the front. He looked to be in some trouble when Astrologer peeled off his back.
Star Turn’s son got within a neck of Cork Harbour at the 200 metres, but his run had come to an end.
Cork Harbour defeated Astrologer by a length with a further three-quarter of a length back to the Foxwedge gelding Leen Fox in third.
It was the second start for Cork Harbour, who had impressed when fourth behind the promising Remarque at Rosehill on January 16.
Winning trainer Chris Waller said the son of Snitzel has a bright future.
“It is all ahead of him; he is going to improve a lot,” Waller said.
“It’s good to get the maiden out of the way early. He is pretty professional. I don’t think they went all that first 200m, so James was happy to take up the running.
“It is good to have a versatile horse. I think he is a good sprinter who will be stronger as a three-year-old.”
Campaigned by a high-profile group of owners led by Coolmore Stud, Cork Harbour was a $475,000 purchase by Tom Magnier out of the Willow Park Stud consignment at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
A half-brother to Matthew Dale’s promising Tavistock filly Molly Nails, Cork Harbour is the second winner from as many foals out of the stakes-winning Pins mare Maritimo.
A $200,000 Karaka yearling, Maritimo was purchased by James Harron Bloodstock for $575,000 at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale.
Maritimo has Fastnet Rock weanling filly and was covered by Pariah last spring.
Cork Harbour is the ninth 2yo winner in Australia for the season. Only Better Than Ready (12) and I Am Invincible (11) have more.
