Chauffeur races up to hefty purchase price

Two-year-old colt Chauffeur has won on debut and will head towards the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Chauffeur has started the long road to living up to his $1.6 million price tag, driving up the rail to win on debut.

Trainer Gerald Ryan said he had no doubt about the horse’s ability after he took out Saturday’s two-year-old handicap at Rosehill over 1100m.

“Last year when we were looking at the sales he was as good a colt as I’ve seen anywhere,” Ryan said.

Ryan’s long-time client Damion Flower singled out the colt at the Magic Millions yearling sale where he was the most expensive buy.

Flower races the colt in partnership with a group of high-profile owners including John Singleton, Neil Werrett, Nick Vass and Brad Hunt.

Ryan said Flower had selected 10 yearlings to target at the sale but reduced that number to six in order to secure the Snitzel colt who is out of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Mirror Mirror.

“He said ‘do the bidding on the big colt’,” Ryan said.

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“I said ‘where do I stop?’ and he said ‘don’t’.”

Jockey Josh Parr settled midfield and dropped back to last on the turn before making a sustained run on the inside.

Chauffeur ($5) was too good for Godolphin colt Coorg, who jumped the $1.85 favourite, despite his quick finish on the outside while Falconic ($3.90) ran into third.

Ryan is planning on giving Chauffeur another run on December 31 before the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 14.

And he hasn’t forgotten about the $3.5 million Golden Slipper.

“They say the Slipper winner has got to win before Christmas – he has,” Ryan said.

Ryan said he the colt would be more suited to 1400m to 1600m.

Parr, who also rode the horse in barrier trial at Rosehill on Tuesday, said he had the feel of a classy racehorse.