Second to Godolphin colts Tessera and Astern in his first two starts in the Group III ATC Canonbury Stakes and Group II ATC Silver Slipper, the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Defcon (image Grant Courtney) has always shown above average ability.
A brilliant last to first win in the Group III Canberra Black Opal Stakes was followed by an unplaced run in the Golden Slipper, but a good spell immediately after has clearly set Defcon up for a great campaign.
Tuned up with two recent trials in Sydney, Defcon was allowed to settle back in the field by Dwayne Dunn to find his feet before charging home late along the fence.
He zoomed through a narrow opening to take the 1200 metre sprint by a length and a quarter taking his overall record to two wins and two seconds from five starts with prizemoney topping $340,000.
"His turn of foot is electric," said Dwayne Dunn.
"It's his first time around this way and he's handled it beautifully."There are better things in store for him. They'll have a lot of fun with this horse."
A $340,000 Inglis Premier purchase from the Eliza Park International draft for James Harron Bloodstock/ Snowden Racing, Defcon was the most expensive yearling by his sire sold in 2015 and runs for a syndicate that includes James Harron Bloodstock and Newgate Farm.
"He (Dwayne Dunn) gave him a great ride," said Peter Snowden.
"He railed perfectly and showed that 300 metre dash that he has… it's lethal."
Defcon is the first foal of Nuclear Force, a metro winning Encosta de Lago mare from the family of Group I VRC Oaks winner Rom's Stiletto.
Nuclear Force has a yearling filly by Wanted and was covered last spring by Foxwedge.
Her current two year-old, a filly by Excelebration (IRE) was sold at the Inglis
Premier Yearling Sale for $100,000 with Dynamic Syndications/ Dean Watt / Gai
Waterhouse the buyer.Defcon carries the blood of two champion Coolmore sires in Choisir and Encosta de Lago, who have also combined to produce Group I winner Japonisme, stakes-winner Frespanol and the Group winning full brothers Proisir and Divine Prophet, who won the Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes last Saturday.
The cross has produced an impressive 63% winners to runners.
Choisir was on fire at the Coolmore stallion parade last weekend and is in great form heading into the breeding season at a fee of $29,700.
