A superb ride by apprentice Mitch Stapleford guided promising 4yo COLUMBIA BLUE to his third win from just five career starts at Canterbury’s Friday night meeting.
The outside barrier from the 1100m start around Canterbury’s tight turning circuit presented a significant challenge for Stapleton but the talented 3kg-claiming apprentice was decisive in the opening 100m and found the prized one-out, one-back spot.
Turning for home, COLUMBIA BLUE loomed into the race ominously and let down strongly for Stapleford over the final furlong to claim victory by a long neck.
From the outside gate at Canterbury we needed a 10/10 ride & boy did we get it from talented apprentice @MitchStapleford. COLUMBIA BLUE enhances his record to 3 wins & 2 seconds from only 5 starts! @PrideRacing @inglis_sales @BellRiver_BR pic.twitter.com/GzMyWBaikR
— PR🟢VEN Thoroughbreds (@ProvenTbreds) December 13, 2025
The pair are building a formidable combination having won two from two this preparation, after they disposed of Class 1 company at Wyong last month.
COLUMBIA BLUE’s burgeoning record will likely see him step out in Saturday metropolitan company next start, providing the track isn’t too firm. To date, he has revealed a preference for surfaces with some give in the ground which he got at Canterbury after some isolated summer storms.
“Another really strong win there from what was a tricky draw,” trainer Joe Pride said.
“He makes his own luck this horse, purely by how versatile he is.
“While he still wanted to lay in a little bit, it wasn’t as bad as first-up at Wyong where the track was probably too firm.
“I’d like to give him another run in a couple of weeks but the time of year for this horse will be in the winter when he’s bound to get wet tracks.”
The son of YES YES YES was a $150,000 Inglis Classic Yearling from Bell River Thoroughbreds and becomes Proven’s 15th winner for the 2025-26 season.
