Quality colt burns off rivals on debut

Well-bred three-year-old colt Verstappen stamped himself as a horse to follow with an emphatic debut performance at Pakenham on Friday.

The son of Stratum jumped straight to the lead for jockey Damien Oliver before burning off his rivals in the run for home to win by more than four lengths in the 1200m event.

"It was an impressive performance," Oliver declared.

"I wasn't planning on leading but after he jumped well I took him to the top and he had the race in his keeping from a long way out. I really think he could go on with it."

The stunning looking colt is a full-brother to Tawteen and half-brother to Well Sprung both stakes performed Spring horses and the owners are buzzing with excitement about Verstappen's future, which is sure to include a trip to a metropolitan track in the not too distant future.

"Of the back of that performance its worth testing him in the nicer races coming up as I think he will measure up," Oliver said.

Pic by Racing Photos