Extreme Choice Colt Don Corleone in Golden Slipper Picture

Mark Smith - Saturday January 21

The Extreme Choice colt Don Corleone put himself in Golden Slipper contention when overcoming a troubled run to make a winning career debut in the Petaluma Hcp (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Don Corleone was a smart debut winner at Randwick - image Steve Hart

Ridden by James McDonald for Peter and Paul Snowden, Don Corleone was never closer than three deep the trip from an outside barrier.

Advertisement

The Breednet Best On Breeding quickened impressively over the rise to defeat the $1,700,000 I Am Invincible filly Kundalini by three-quarters of a length with the $320,000 Invader colt Coincide three lengths back in third.

“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.

“He is a very nice horse. 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 at the 2021 National Weanling Sale when knocked down to China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock for $650,000.

He is a half-brother to four winners, including The Drinks Cart (Unencumbered), who placed behind Rothfire in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes.

Don Corleone's dam Snipzu, a daughter of the recently deceased Snippetson, won four and was second to Hussousa in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes and placed in the Group III BJ Mclachlan Stakes and Listed Calaway Gal Stakes.

Snipzu's dam Pilgrim is a half-sister to Arkady. A homebred for John Denoon, Arkady won the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill. That was the culmination of four consecutive wins, which began with a welter at Rosehill, then the Listed Underwood Cup, and Queanbeyan Cup.

Don Coleone a $650,000 MM National Sale Weanling (image Gilgai Stud)

Arkady proved his Ranvet win was no fluke when Octagonal edged him out in the Group 1 Mercedes Classic (Tancred Stakes).

Denoon won the Ranvet a decade previously with Arkady's sire Myocard.

Not served in 2020, Snipzu foaled a Written Tycoon filly on November 20. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Petaluma Hcp 1000m

Randwick Track: Soft(5) Time: 0:57.51
1
Don Corleone
- 2c Extreme Choice (AUS) x Snipzu (AUS) (Snippetson (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
0.8
Kundalini
- 2f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Ruud Awakening (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J R Collett 55
3
3.8
Coincide
- 2c Invader (AUS) x Conversely (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 58
4
5.0
Inhibitions
- 2f Zoustar (AUS) x Workdrinks (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
5
5.1
High King
- 2c Russian Revolution (AUS) x Alteza Real (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tommy Berry 57
6
6.5
Mojave Desert
- 2c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Fine Bubbles (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Avdulla 57
7
6.9
Kalimba
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x African Piano (JPN) (Deep Impact (JPN))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Tyler Schiller 55
8
7.4
Fleetwood
- 2c Encryption (AUS) x Jennifer Juniper (AUS) (Time Thief (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J Parr 57
9
7.5
Brave Agenda
- 2f Brave Smash (JPN) x Morganza (GB) (Singspiel (IRE))
Tnr: R & L Price Rdr: Brock Ryan 55.5
10
7.6
Intruder
- 2g Epaulette (AUS) x Miranda Jane (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: C Schofield 57
11
7.9
Scorpion Jack
- 2c () x Queen Of Eight (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: B Prebble 57
12
12.1
Rockabilly Rebel
- 2f Street Boss (USA) x Text'N Hurley (AUS) (Hard Spun (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 55
More Reading...
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Too Darn Promising
If there is one thing we have learned about the progeny of Too Darn Hot (GB) this season it is that they train on and whatever his progeny show at two they invariably improve on at three so with that thinking in mind we’ve gone looking for a few spring contenders starting with the obvious.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Best On Breeding
An Intriguing race for two-year-olds to open proceedings at Randwick on Saturday, with all but three of the 14 acceptors making their career debuts.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have had a super season and underpinning their success has been a string of talented Kiwi breds and they include an interesting debut winner at Wyong on Thursday by Cambridge Stud’s first season sire Hello Youmzain (Fr).