Part-owner Nick Vass just wants Don Corleone to replicate his terrific Blue Diamond Stakes run in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill on Saturday.
If the talented colt shows the same tenacity on the straight in the 1200m sprint worth $5 million, Vass will be happy.
He might also be toasting a victory after the prestigious Group 1 feature for two-year-olds.
Don Corleone finished second and a length behind Little Brose last start, showing great racing nous to poke his way through a small opening under the urgings of Mark Zahra.
That was after he was well back, boxed out and seemingly well beaten with 300m to go.
With that effort under his belt and under Hugh Bowman on Saturday, punters might find good value in his $9.50 winning odds with online bookmakers.
Silver Slipper Stakes and Todman Stakes winner Cylinder is the $4 favourite for James Cummings’ all-conquering Godolphin stable with champion rider James McDonald aboard.
But Vass believes Don Corleone – from barrier six – has the physical and mental attributes to be thereabouts at the finishing post.
“Cylinder is definitely a great horse. Godolphin has (three) in the race and they can box-seat this whole thing,” he told HorseBetting.com.au.
“But I think if Don Corleone can run up to his Blue Diamond effort and has a good clean run at them on the straight, he’s the one to beat.
“Outstanding finish (in the Blue Diamond Stakes). He flew home and was hampered twice on the straight.
“He was third-last at the turn and had to stop twice, lost momentum, go again and lost it again.
“Then he went again.
“He’s a very impressive horse. I keep my fingers crossed that he can come out and do the job.”
2023 Blue Diamond Stakes – Don Corleone (2nd)
Vass will also have King’s Gambit ($9.50, with Zahra aboard) and Empire Of Japan ($81, Sam Clipperton) running in the Golden Slipper, with all three colts part of the Peter and Paul Snowden stable.
The experienced owner also likes the chances of King’s Gambit, who finished third in the Silver Slipper, a length behind Cylinder.
“He fought really well and I’ve been told there’s been improvement since from the Snowden stable,” Vass said.
“They reckon he came through the run really well, and they’ve got him race-fit now at his peak.
“D-Day is Slipper Day, and all these good trainers know how to set a horse for that particular race and get them to peak on that day.
“That’s what they’re aiming to do with King’s Gambit.”
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