Sun Bloodstock's Snitzel colt King's Authority delivered a quick return on his $280,000 purchase price when making a winning debut in Saturday's Christmas Season 2YO Plate (1100m) at Flemington.
The Mick Price-trained colt ran into some traffic problems down the straight but when Mark Zahra found some clear air, King's Authority put the race to bed in a matter of strides.
Another first starter, Aspen Angel, gave supporters of the Melbourne Cup hero Americain (USA) something to cheer about when she claimed second, beaten one and a half lengths, with favourite American Genius (All American) finishing third for the third consecutive time. (photo Grant Courtney).
"He's got improvement in him and I'll probably give him a breather now and then run in one of the Blue Diamond Previews," Price said.
"He doesn't have to go out but it would be nice to think he can go on to the Blue Diamond and the Golden Slipper.
"I think he'll pull up well, he's got good knees and shins on him and he's nice and round in condition. There's plenty of improvement to come and it's nice to see him do it under pressure."
"He's still learning a fair bit and I thought he did a good job to switch left, switch left again and then have a really good finish on him.
"He's a nice colt and he's certainly going somewhere. He didn't trial that well but it's what they do under pressure and he did it well today in the blinkers."
Bred by Hillside Parade Racing & Breeding, King's Authority was consigned to the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling sale by Hillside Thoroughbreds.
The second
Herself a daughter of the 6-time winner and stakes-placed Scenic mare Carlin, Amy's Glen has a Dream Ahead (USA) filly in the Hillside draft heading to the Inglis Premier Yearling sale (see her here).
Snitzel has a powerful draft of 51 yearlings heading to the Gold Coast and 10 at the Inglis Classic Yearling sale.
