It was looking grim for favourite backers when Kordia was well back on the fence turning for home in Saturday's Listed Winning Edge Presentation Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm, but under a cool and confident Blake Shinn, the son of Epaulette found clear air halfway down the straight to charge home and earn a maiden stakes success.
A troubled second when making his career debut at Canterbury on May 8, Kordia opened his winning account at his next start over 1250 metres on the same track a fortnight later.
It encouraged trainer James Cummings to give the Godolphin homebred a shot at some black-type in Brisbane over the Winter Carnival and he found the perfect spot here.
Kordia defeated Big Parade (Deep Field) by a neck with Snazz 'n' Charm (Snitzel) a half-head back in third. (image Racing Queensland)
"He was a little bit fractious in the gates, I just had to get his mind on the job," Shinn said.
"We jumped ok, but drifted back fairly quickly, he did well to pick up from three pairs back off a moderate speed.
"He was doing his best work late, definitely gave me the impression the mile wouldn't be an issue."
Winning trainer James Cummings said the son of Epaulette had continued to improve throughout the preparation.
"He's not a bolting speed horse but he's got class about him and will only be better over further, I think that's why he's snuck under a few people's guards," he said.
"When I think back to good jockeys trying to pick which two-year-old's they wanted to ride in their maidens he was never at the top of the list despite showing us a lot at home.
"I've got a rough idea of what I want to do with him, but I'll just let the dust settle first.
"One thing I can tell you is he'll have no problem over a longer trip."
From the family of Chatswood Stud's Group 1 ATC Randwick Guineas winner Inference (So You Think), Kordia is the eighth and final foal of the Grand Lodge mare Cherry Lodge who has six winners from seven to race headed Kordia's Group III winning three-quarter sister Kanzan (Commands) who is the dam of the highly promising Lonhro gelding Ranier the winner of the Group III VRC Carbine Club Stakes.
Kordia becomes the eighth stakes-winner from the first two crops by Darley Stud's underrated stallion Epaulette (image Mark Smith) and his second two-year-old stakes-winner of the season after the Group III SAJC Sires' Produce Stakes winner She Shao Fly.
