The China Horse Club / Newgate Farm and partners were in the winner’s circle at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with a smart maiden winner in Calanda, but he won’t be joining any stallion rosters in the future as the three year-old son of Snitzel is a gelding. Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Calanda was second on debut at Hawkesbury back in July when striking a wet track, but showed his true ability with this stylish performance. Sent out favourite for the 1200 metre maiden, he did everything right for Blake Shinn and cruised clear to win with authority by a length and a half. “He felt awesome,” Shin said. “He’s still quite raw, but has a massive motor. I’m looking forward to his future, he feels like’s Group class.” Paul Snowden was also pleased with the win, although keen to let Calanda work through his grades. “You like to see them do it and he has,” Snowden said. “The last furlong and a half was what impressed me, he accelerated really well.” A $200,000 Inglis Easter purchase for China Horse Club/ Michael Wallace Bloodstock from the Yarraman Park draft, Calanda is a half-brother to Group III winner Speedy Natalie and stakes-placed Silverstream and is the seventh winner from stakes-winner Speedy Bell. Speedy Bell died this year and her last foal is a yearling colt by I Am Invincible.
