Promising
Rubick colt Condo's Express blitzed his rivals to score a stunning win in the
Listed MVRC McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
A last start winner at the same track at the start of the month, the Richard
Laming trained colt was originally headed to the paddock after that win, biut
the decision to stay in work paid a big dividend.
He tracked the leaders for Linda Meech and kicked away down the running to win
the 1200 metre sprint by more than two lengths from classy colt Hightail.
"I said after last start that we were going to the paddock and he went to
the paddock for four days and we brought him back in thinking he was going to
get sold," Richard Laming said.
"The horse didn't know if he was Arthur or Martha for a couple of days and
I just watched him and I thought 'This horse is absolutely thriving and I am
going to give him a piece of work' and his work on Tuesday here suggested he'd
race like he did.
"There were a few interested after last win and I am sure they will ring
again after this."
Condo's Express now has a record of five starts for two wins and three seconds with
prizemoney of more than $175,000 and has improved out of sight with the
addition of blinkers.
"He just keeps improving," Laming said. "To be honest, after his
first couple of runs I was just happy enough for him to win another race or two
but the blinkers have gone on and have certainly turned this horse around.
"He's gone to another level there today and he's gone better than I
thought he would."
Condo's Express was a modestly priced yearling, bought for just $3,000 from the
Middlebrook Valley Lodge draft at the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale by his trainer
and is the first winner for Braided, a placed half-sister by Elusive Quality
(USA) to stakes-winner Wild Ash.
Condo's Express is the second stakes-winner for Rubick joining Yes Yes Yes and
is his first this season.
The busiest sire in Australia last spring, Rubick stands at Coolmore this
spring at a fee of $38,500.