Defcon is currently available at 2016 Canonbury Stakes odds of $2 and the promising debutant is set to start the Group 3 event at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as a dominant favourite.
James Harron is hopeful that Defcon can replicate the feat of Capitalist and record a race win on debut. Photo by: Steve Hart
Defcon first caught the eye of racing fans when he scored a very impressive victory in a barrier trial over 838 metres at Royal Randwick on September 21, but Team Snowden elected to send him to the spelling paddock rather than give him a start in the early two-year-old races.
The Choisir colt hit the line strongly to finish third in another barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens on January 4 and he was not that impressive to the eye when he took out a trial over 900 metres at the same venue on January 19, but still ran home in good time.
Managing owner James Harron said that Defcon has done everything right in the lead-up to his racing debut, but he admits that the juvenile needs to come out and do it in the Canonbury Stakes to prove that he is worthy of a trip to Melbourne for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 27.
“He came out and trialed at the official two-year-old trials,” Harron said.
“He came out of the Melbourne Premier Sale, so he is a bit of a prep behind the Magic Millions horse like Capitalist.
“He trialed very well that day, but he just wasn’t ready to go to the races so we elected to give him just a short break.
“He had three weeks out, came back and he has had a preparation to lead him into the Blue Diamond, which has been the plan from day one.
“Obviously he has to step-up to the mark because he hasn’t been seen at the racetrack yet, but that is the preparation he is on.
“His trials have all been good and they have really bought him nicely.
“His last trial was not as impressive looking, but when you strip back the figures he ran half a second quicker than anything else on the whole day in the early sectionals.
“From all reports Peter and Paul are really happy with him.
“There are no excuses for tomorrow and we are expecting a good show.”
Defcon is currently available at 2016 Canonbury Stakes odds of $2 with Ladbrokes and he is a clear favourite from Gerald Ryan-trained Star Of Monsoon ($4.20), debut winner Tessera ($5.50), the market mover Guard Of Honour ($8) and Team Hawkes-trained Mount Panorama ($8.50).
