Precocious juvenile Von Trapp didn’t disappoint Andrew Calder in his first serious test.
The Richard Collett-trained youngster had been unbeaten in three trial appearances and he continued his winning ways on debut in Saturday’s Almanzor At Cambridge Stud (1000m) at Ruakaka.
“I’ve been waiting for him,” successful rider and Collett’s son-in-law Andrew Calder said. “He’s a really promising horse.”
Von Trapp showed early pace to cross the field and lead and when asked for an effort into the straight he surged clear to win by three and a-quarter lengths from Hapi Ella.
“He’s got a lot of upside, he didn’t jump that fast and had to use a bit of petrol early but once he got there he felt like he was idling all the way,” Calder said.
“He’s led in his trials and he always runs fast time. At this stage, we’ll probably keep him in work and look for another two-year-old race somewhere and then maybe Hawke’s Bay for the three-year-old races.”
While the son of Swiss Ace has showed impressive pace, Calder believes the gelding will cope with a step up in trip.
“On breeding most of the family have just got 1200m, but he’s such a big, strong horse that I’ve got no doubt he’ll go further,” he said.
Out of the winning Belong To Me mare Musically, Von Trapp was purchased by Collett, who is currently in Vietnam, for $62,500 out of Westbury Stud’s 2017 draft at Karaka.
