Astute purchases by Newgate Farm and China Horse Club are on their way to delivering significant rewards as the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained High Octane and Holmes A Court ran the quinella in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for colts and geldings at Caulfield.
Both debutants, High Octane was bought for $1,050,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale after being withdrawn from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, while at that sale Holmes A Court, a colt by Capitalist, was bought for $850,000.
"They have both been terrific and not a lot between them in their work at home," Peter Snowden said.
"I thought there would be a bit more in the finish of the race but I thought both colts ran exceptionally well."
The win saw High Octane wound into favouritism at $5 for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 24.
Snowden believes that there is more to come from both horses, especially from High Octane, a colt by Deep Field.
"He got lost a fair way out and wobbled around that corner but he showed his class late, he's a talented horse and no doubt he'll take a lot of benefit out of today.
"He travelled well to the gate although Holmes A Court got a bit revvy when we put the saddle on him but he was good before that.
"For High Octane, he's a real professional."
Itβs a π΄π‘ quinella on debut for two smarts colts as they take the first step towards a Blue π tiltβΌοΈ
β China Horse Club (@Chinahorseclub) January 26, 2024
Exciting times ahead for High Octane & Holmes A Court πͺπͺ
Thank you @SnowdenRacing1, Mark Zarha & @JyeMcNeil π€ππ pic.twitter.com/7HTdjw3Kl4
Both colts are expected to line up again in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 10.
High Octane ($3.10 favourite) scored by three-quarters of a length from Holmes A Court ($21) with the Annabel Neasham-trained Innervisions ($3.90) three lengths away third.
The time of 57.94 seconds was 0.13 seconds quicker than the fillies division run earlier and won by Hayasugi.