While it was the southerners who got the spoils in the Caloundra Cup, the local gallopers dominated the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) just half an hour later.
Kelly Schweida and James Orman combined with the “progressive” Majestic Colour to record a dominant win in the three-year-old feature on the Sunshine Coast, racing away from Tarex, Rayjen and Whitewater.
The son of So You Think has now won four from four this preparation, in what is a sign of bigger and better things to come for the gelding.
After winning a maiden at Eagle Farm on May 4, Majestic Colour has added a Class 1, Class 2 and now a Group 3 to his resume, making it a perfect winter campaign for connections.
2022 Winx Guineas Races Replay
After coming up with barrier 14 at Wednesday’s barrier draw, Schweida admitted that he was a bit nervous, but he put his faith into a confident and in-form James Orman, which ultimately paid dividends.
“I was a bit worried when the barriers came out, he drew outside,” he said.
“I was even more worried in the run. He was three and four wide the entire trip, but Jimmy Orman said it was his best ride coming into today.
“He’s a progressive type of horse.”
Majestic Colour never raced as a two-year-old, making his debut only in December last year as a three-year-old, so Schweida was pleased to reward his “patient” owners with a Group 3 win on Saturday afternoon.
“It was good to train a winner for them – Ron and Judy,” the trainer said.
“They’ve been very patient with him, because he’s just taken a bit of time. He’s had an unusual action, but he’s one four from four (this prep) and he’s won a Group race today.”
Despite a wide run in transit, winning rider James Orman never really worried, as the horse travelled sweetly for him in the first half of the field, chasing a disappointing favourite in Battleton.
Although the gelding has been winning well, it had only been in midweek grade, but Orman said that he’s always given him the feel of a “good horse”.
“It was a good win,” Orman said.
“He’s been putting them away quite easily in midweek grade. It’s been a big step up in grade here today, but he gave me the feeling of a really good horse when I let him go.
“Maybe he was just getting through the track a lot better than anything else, but I think he’s a really progressive horse.”
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