Promising colt Condo’s Express (2c Rubick x Braided, by Elusive Quality) 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 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.
– Coolmore Australia
