Three-year-old Planet Red has marked himself as a horse to follow this spring, proving too strong first-up as a $1.80 favourite at Sandown on Wednesday.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the son of Admire Mars won his only previous start at Pakenham in May and had jumped out impressively ahead of his return, resulting in his odds-on quote.
Mark Zahra settled him outside the lead and though Vega For Luck ($11), who finished second in the Karaka Million in January, tried desperately to draw level late, Planet Red always held a margin and got the job done again at start two.
Kent Jnr was delighted to see his galloper prevail and is sure Planet Red can compete in Stakes races.
“I think he’ll really enjoy taking a slight sit and finishing off, as we saw, he was very strong late on debut when ridden back,” he said.
“But he’s very versatile. It’s a great asset to have in Australia, to have tactical speed.
“I think he should (get a mile), his father was a champion miler, he looks like a miler and we’re going to find out.
“He’ll just follow a natural progression, we’ll just keep stepping him up in grade. No doubt Stakes class beckons for him now, he’s beaten some nice horses there.
“We’ve got a black-type horse, it’s just a matter of what level he fits into.”
Planet Red was purchased by the stable at the 2024 Karaka Ready To Run for NZ$260k.