In Glorious Colour

Rookie pacer Go Colour My World has made huge inroads in a very short space of time, culminating with his victory in the Listed $31,160 Wayne Wilson Paleface Adios Classic at Albion Park on July 1, the opening night of the Constellations at the famed Breakfast Creek oval.

The juvenile feature is named after two iconic figures within the sport.

In four starts to date, the talented pacer has notched three victories, but where did it all start?

Enter Brian West and Neville Tilsley.

Foaled on August 31, 2020, at Studholme Park in Christchurch, the bay colt is a son of champion sire Art Major from the Mach Three mare Odds And Ends, an unraced half-sister to the ill-fated Major Trojan (1:54.1) plus Artisan (1:56.1), The Odd Lover (1:56.1) and Underthesouthernsun (1:51.4).

His family includes the likes of Under Cover Lover, Match In Heaven, Cybersleuth, Exotic Lover, Monarch Of The Glen, Delizioso, Charm Alarm and CC’s Lover among others.

Nominated for the 2022 New Zealand National Standardbred Yearling Sale in Christchurch, he was listed as Lot 363 and hopes were high for his consignors.

Studholme Bloodstock is based at Coes Ford and consists of 300 acres of rich farmland and the list of graduates is very impressive, including champions Lazarus and Bit Of A Legend, both of whom are millionaire dual hemisphere performers.

Other standouts include Don’t Stop Dreaming, Lancome, Secret Potion, True Fantasy and Beyond Words among others.

The colt was knocked down to the bid of Cran Dalgety of Kentuckiana Lodge for $58,000 on behalf of Queensland-based owner Terry Flynn.

“He was your typical Art Major yearling colt, built like a brick outhouse and overflowing with confidence,” Dalgety explained.

“I was happy with the way he broke in, but we decided it was best to geld him early.”

They also secured an Art Major filly (Sheer Artistry) six lots later for $45,000.

Broken in and educated at Kentuckiana, the pair of youngsters soon made their way to Queensland and joined the stables of Wayne Graham.

While Flynn has his team spread amongst a few stables nowadays including Dalgety in New Zealand, he also has horses with John and Narelle McCarthy in Sydney while Graham prepares his Queensland based pacers.

The association between Flynn and Graham spans 15 years following a link-up via the McCarthy’s.

Graham has prepared several handy types for Flynn during that time including Commands Attention, The Mad Hatter, Im Jack Black, Dapper, Aye Aye Captain, Remember Me Now, Major Seascape and Hasty Bid.

The best horse that Graham prepared for Flynn is Major Coup, a winner of 14 races from 42 starts before being cut down in his prime with injury.

Major Coup scored in the 2016 QBRED Breeders Classic 4YO Entires & Geldings Final at Albion Park.

Interestingly, Major Coup is by the same sire as Go Colour My World.

“If he turns out be half as good as Major Coup we’ll be doing well because he could’ve been something very special. He was a very exciting prospect before injury ruined his career,” Graham said.

“We call this bloke Tom, and it was very interesting when they both (Sheer Artistry) arrived. I preferred the filly while Lyn (wife) had a liking for Tom.

“Early on, I was smarting because the filly certainly looked a little more switched on and sharper, but Lyn assured me he was improving and coming around.”

Both youngsters arrived in great order and with great manners although Tom (Go Colour My World) tended to be revved up and fierce once under harness.

It took some time for him to fully relax and trust the process.

“Cran did a super job, but he would become a little nervous and over keen once in work. He didn’t pull but he would take charge when working with others. It didn’t matter whether he worked in front, beside or from behind,” Graham said.

“Lyn picked him from day one and took on the role of trying to settle him. The female touch clearly worked wonders because she’s clearly won the battle with him.

“He’s fine on raceday when standing in his stall but we don’t parade him, he’s like a kid on red cordial.”

Go Colour My World was given two educational workouts at Albion Park back in January before being turned out for a break.

He returned in May and made a break and galloped in his first qualifying trial on the 16^th before returning the following week when triumphant in a time of 2:01.6 for the 1660m public trial.

Go Colour My World would make his debut on May 30 at Albion Park in the Burwood Stud 2YO Maiden Pace with Brendan Barnes steering but he only managed sixth, placing behind Gem Punter Pete in a time of 1:57.6.

The following week he would score a come-from-behind victory with Leonard Cain driving. He was able to beat Majorita Jujon and Reason To Shine in a time of 1:57.5.

A fortnight later, he led throughout to score at Albion Park with Shane Graham driving in a time of 1:57.7 before backing-up a week later to claim the Wayne Wilson Paleface Adios Classic.

“He’s come a long way in a very short space of time, but that will do for now and he’ll go straight to the paddock for a well-earned break and hopefully he comes back a little faster, stronger, and smarter,” Graham said.

“Brendan liked what he did on debut and Leonard said he was sharp, so we were tracking in the right direction early. Shane used him at both ends before doing the same in the feature, he’s not a leader.

“We were confident but not overconfident going into the feature, we’ve got great respect for Murray’s colt, Ellis Street. But we had the right draw on the night and got the luck.”

Go Colour My World became Art Major’s 218^th southern hemisphere stakes winner with his victory in the Wayne Wilson Paleface Adios Classic.

Other notable performers for Flynn during his long and decorated career in harness racing includes Robert Harlyn, Tap The Till, Fleet Street, Rather Racy, Simply Stunning, Harley Street, Lifeonthebeach and Genuine Article among others.