Alamosa's Colorado Star Wins G3 Taranaki Cup

Tara Madgwick - Saturday February 4

A cagey ride by Ryan Elliot and a never-say-die attitude from his mount Colorado Star saw the pair upset the applecart at odds of $32 as they combined for victory in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth.

The Mike Breslin-trained seven-year-old son of Alamosa had always looked to have the ability to take out a feature race and that moment came on Saturday as he led throughout in the Group Three.

Colorado Star takes out the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery

Elliot took the initiative from the outside barrier in the nine-horse field and dictated play to suit himself as his rivals allowed him to sneak some quiet sectionals during the mid-stages.

Advertisement

Elliot asked Colorado Star to go when rounding the home bend, but was quickly joined by the well fancied Soldier Boy who had stalked him in the trail before issuing his challenge.

The pair set down to a dogfight with Colorado Star pulling clear in the final 100m to win handsomely by just over a length from Soldier Boy, with Zola Express running on well to take third.

Breslin was delighted to see his charge bounce back to winning form after enduring a lean period since his last victory back in September 2021.

“At home he has been as well as he has ever been, his work has been good and I just felt he hadn’t been putting in on raceday,” he said.

“I purposely put Ryan on as he is quite a strong rider and I said ‘go forward and make sure he is awake’.

“I got quite confident about the 800m as he was still hard up against the bridle, so he was more like the old Colorado Star.

“We’ll probably try him over a bit further now but we’re very happy with him.”

Elliot felt the change in race tactics really suited his mount, who travelled well all the way.

“He just needed a change in tactics and Mike said get him out and get him excited to be there,” Elliot said.

“He pricked his ears going past the post the first time, relaxed well and when they came up to him, he fought them off nicely.”

Bred by studmaster Bill Gleeson at his Wellfield Lodge base, Colorado Star is out of the lightly raced Unbridled’s Song mare Elegant Emerald who won five of her 12 starts and was placed fourth behind Tit For Taat in the 2003 Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m).

Raced by the In To Win Elegant Emerald Syndicate, he has now won six of his 28 starts, while he has been placed on nine further occasions including finishing third in the 2021 Gr.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Denis Wheeler Taranaki Cup Gr3 1800m

New Plymouth Raceway Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:49.85
1
Colorado Star
- 7g Alamosa (NZ) x Elegant Emerald (AUS) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: M P Breslin Rdr: R T Elliot 55.5
2
1.3
Soldier Boy
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x Forty Love (NZ) (Ekraar (USA))
Tnr: G H Sharrock Rdr: K R Hercock 55.5
3
4.6
Zola Express
- 6m Shamexpress (NZ) x Zolana (NZ) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: Ms J Millar Rdr: Jake Bayliss 55
4
5.4
Super Sid
- 6g Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Half Bak (NZ) (Churchill Downs (AUS))
Tnr: D B Hollinshead Rdr: M Hashizume 55
5
5.5
Mary Louise
- 4m The Bold One (NZ) x Daisy Louise (NZ) (Catbird (AUS))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 53.5
6
7.3
Belle Of The Ball
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x Lady Tatia (AUS) (Duke Of Marmalade (IRE))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C Zackey 53.5
7
7.4
River Run
- 8g Pour Moi (IRE) x Clearbrook Lane (NZ) (Star Way (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: W B Kennedy 55
8
8.9
Self Obsession
- 4m Shocking (AUS) x Mawaakib (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54.5
9
11.4
Hurry Cane
- 10g Nom Du Jeu (NZ) x Yodel (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit (USA))
Tnr: R M Connors Rdr: S J O'Malley 55
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Colorado Star too tough in Kaimai Stakes
Another daring ride by Jonathan Riddell provided the impetus for rejuvenated galloper Colorado Star to claim his second consecutive stakes victory when he cruised home to win the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.