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King Colorado has been given the opportunity to compete in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes following the scratching of Arapaho. Trained by Ciaron Maher, the 3YO has been on a rapid rise to success, winning a Kembla Grange maiden at his second start before capturing the Gr.1 J J Atkins a run later. Maher is thrilled with King Colorado's build up and believes this could just be the beginning for the talented horse.
"He did everything he did on raw ability and a good ride," Maher said. "Last prep, when we'd trial him, he'd be a bit on one day, a bit quiet the next day — just immature stuff. That's why we went to the maiden, and he did everything right there and then raised the bar."
Mystic Journey 2022 Winx Stakes Win
The 2022 winner of the Winx Stakes was an unexpected winner emerging from the pack. In a stunning upset, the 4YO mare, Mystic Journey, surged ahead in the final stretch to take the victory. Trained by Adam Trinder and ridden by William Pike, Mystic Journey proved to be a formidable contender, displaying impressive speed and endurance throughout the race.
Maher's Winning Track Record and King Colorado's Promising Past Performances Ahead of Winx Stakes
Maher's past successes as a co-trainer are well-known in the industry, having won some of Australia's biggest races including the Caulfield Cup and the Victoria Derby. He also had a successful partnership with David Eustace, with the pair winning Group 1 races with horses such as Jameka and Aloisia.
King Colorado has also shown promise in his past performances, with a win at Rosehill and a competitive finish in a Canterbury hit-out. Maher is confident in the colt's abilities and believes he is in good order ahead of the Winx Stakes.
"I reckon he's in really good order," he said. "You don't take too much from trials but a lot of them were Group One horses. It was only a trial, but I was pretty taken by it."
King Colorado: The Three-Year-Old Set to Make History at the Winx Stakes
The Gr.1 Winx Stakes, formerly known as the Warwick Stakes, has not been won by a three-year-old since Trusting in 2009, but Maher is optimistic about King Colorado's chances of adding another win to his impressive record.