Calanda sprints away with $250k feature

Co-trainer Paul Snowden says Calanda is a long way from being the finished product despite the three-year-old scooping an Inglis Sprint windfall at Randwick.

After conceding a start and then having his momentum interrupted because of a bumping duel with the runner-up Geneteau, Calanda ($5) recovered to win the $250,000 race by 1-1/2 lengths.

Snowden said the win could represent a turning point in a career that has been restricted to five starts.

“He’s had his fair share of talent from day one but it’s been an immaturity thing with him. He’s been in and out of work,” Snowden said.

“He’s still learning. After he missed the kick and got a bit further back on a track where horses haven’t made up a heap of ground today it was good to see him hit the line the way he did. It was very encouraging.

Calanda started second favourite behind third placegetter Manuel ($4.60) after Super Too was scratched after she was kicked on the way to the barrier.

Snowden said the timing of Saturday’s race fitted in perfectly with Calanda’s campaign but it would count against the horse for the early part of the autumn carnival.

“There’s another Inglis race at Scone a bit later and there’s always Brisbane after that,” he said.