Calanda sizzles in W’Farm maiden victory

Jockey Blake Shinn says Calanda can reach Group company after the horse broke his maiden with style at Warwick Farm.

The Snitzel gelding sizzled around the south-western Sydney track on Wednesday during the Schweppes Maiden Plate (1200m).

He ran a class record 1:09.78 seconds, covering the last 600m in 33.67s.

“He’s certainly up to Group standard but he’s still raw and working it all out,” Shinn said.

“He’s got a massive motor so I’m looking forward to his future.”

Supported before the race into $1.60 favouritism, Calanda beat home Pelorus Jack ($16) by 1-1/2 lengths with Yeah Bravo ($10) third.

The win added to trainers Peter and Paul Snowden’s strong three-year-old ranks which include Russian Revolution and Defcon.

Paul Snowden said Calanda would be taken through his grades towards stronger races.

“What was most impressive with the win was the last furlong-and-a-half,” Snowden said.

“When (Blake) did get at him there was a fair bit in the tank and he accelerated well.”

The three-year-old is out of 1999 Gimcrack Stakes winner Speedy Bell and Newgate Stud and the powerful China Horse Club are among his owners.