By MIKE DILLON
It was only water, but it tasted like champagne to Michael Cole- man.
The Matamata jockey tasted his first drink of any description for the day at 7.45pm last night, moments after winning the $60,000 Anziyan Classic on Cannsea at Avondale.
"That's the lightest (52kg) I've ridden for more than a year," said Coleman.
And wasn't it worth it. Cannsea turned in one of the best sprint efforts in a long time, coming from third last, angling seven horses wide on the home bend and sustaining a run that broke her rivals' hearts.
Cannsea, who is in foal to boom sire Zabeel, is now entitled to start favourite in the $250,000 Railway at Ellerslie on January 1, after running a lightning 1.8.35 for 1200m, just outside Courier Bay's track record.
Coleman said the wide barrier (No12) was the reason the mare settled so far back.
"If she draws half decently in the Railway she won't be as far back," he said. "She has to be a big chance, she's right on top of her game."
Crooked Stick tried hard to lead for the home straight, but Cannsea was too strong. Madhuri Dixit fought bravely for third, but the favourite Bareall paid the price for being three wide from an awkward barrier draw and had nothing left in the closing stages.
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The $500,000 Blue Star Auckland Cup was a natural choice for No Alimony after the under-rated mare scored a terrific 2100m win in fast time yesterday.
No Alimony, after being handy early, was shuffled back then mounted a stayer's finish that will not be out of place over the 3200m of the Auckland Cup.
"I've always thought she would make a nice 3200m type," said co-owner Rick Williams.
"She's got the class," said Williams. "She was stakes placed in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington last season."
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Trainer Paul Milich didn't mind the headache he had watching She's A Meanie easily win the $20,000 Avondale Sunday Markets 1600.
An hour earlier She's A Meanie nearly felled Milich by clouting him on the head with her chin.
"It took me five minutes to come right, but she's back in the good books with that win," said Milich.
"That's how she has to be ridden," said jockey Peter Johnson. "In her last start I got caught off the track on her and she did well to finish third."
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No one could blame Grant Cooksley for doubting his impressive Avondale debut winner Viper Corp on looks yesterday.
Cooksley was walking around at the start when someone said to him: "Nice horse."
"He looks like he needs 2000m," replied Cooksley, who changed his mind after the tall juvenile came from last to score an easy win in the Rosehill Retirement Village Stakes.
"He's got a lovely stride when he gets rolling," said Cooksley.
"He picked them up easily and will be a nice 1400m type."
Viper Corp was a $A30,000 purchase at the Queensland Magic Millions sale in January.
Racing: Cannsea changes water into wine
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