Derby Contender for Fastnet Rock

Fresh from dominating at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale earlier this week where he was the leading sire by average, champion sire Fastnet Rock was quickly into the frame at Randwick on the second day of The Championships when California Turbo won the Listed ATC South Pacific Classic.

The lightly raced gelding had won two of three previous starts at the provincials, but was pitched into the deep end for this 1400 metre stakes assignment and rose to the challenge.

He powered home from back in the field to snatch a narrow, but convincing win that has connections eyeing much better races.

His trainers Peter and Paul Snowden have a high opinion of California Turbo (image Steve Hart) and the Group I BRC Queensland Derby (2200m) in June is his main aim.

"He's a Fastnet Rock gelding who has just taken a little bit of time to know his craft," Paul Snowden said.

"He's going to stay, there's no doubt about that, and all this preparation has been aimed towards the Derby in Brisbane.

"He had a soft kill at the provincials first-up, knowing the horse had a lot of improvement fitness-wise to come through that."

A $330,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Asian Bloodstock Services from the Segenhoe Stud draft, California Turbo has won three of four starts earning over $150,000 in prizemoney for his owner Mr Liang.

A sibling to Group I winner Gathering and Group III winner Florentina, he was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds and is the third stakes-winner from blue-blooded Peintre Celebre (USA) mare Celebria, a grand-daughter of Dancing Show (USA).

This is the famed Redoute's Choice family, so this colt is closely related to current season Fastnet Rock dual Group I winner Shoals and her yearling full brother that topped the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when fetching $2.3 million.

Califorina Turbo is the 134^th stakes-winner worldwide for Coolmore's flagship sire Fastnet Rock.