There has been a fair bit of hype around Bennett Racing’s 2yo Cosmic Force colt Stay Focused. That hype was justified on Saturday when the colt made a sensational debut at Geelong in The Geelong Diamond last Saturday.
The Phillip Stokes trained colt coming off a couple of good trial wins looked calm and relaxed in the mounting yard and carried that composure out on to the track.
Starting fav from a good barrier, Stay Focused jumped slow and was soon back on the rail behind the leader. A fast pace was carved out in front which in hindsight probably allowed the colt to settle after initial plans were to use the barrier and lead. Down the side Stay Focused was on the bit and head up a little but Daniel Stackhouse was poised to set him alight as they turned for home. The leader kicked hard as Stay Focused commenced his assault and he quickly gathered him in. Initially reluctant to go past when he levelled up the colt rolled in slightly but Daniel knew what he had under him and simply shook him up and the colt powered away easing down to a 2 len win.
The performance based on facts and figures went down as the 2nd best 2yo race so far this year and rated well with the other 1100m races on the day. This colt really has the X FACTOR and he certainly knows it. Last Saturday he simply strutted around the mounting yard owning it!
A 250k purchase from the Magic Millions Sale Stay Focused was sourced from a great farm Sledmere’s Draft. He is from the Galileo mare Coral Reef already the dam of 2 stakes horses in Miss Moana and Hollywood Mo. Of course she is also the dam of two Bennett Racing horses. A real favourite 7 time winner the flashy Apache Star and also the 2yo metro winner Beauty Rising who is in fact a ¾ sister to Stay Focused.
A terrific training performance by Phillip Stokes and his Team for playing down the hype and having the flashy colt ready to win on debut.
Congratulations to all owners who certainly have a very exciting colt on their hands.
VERY FOCUSED VERY SMART
