DESPITE Toona Ciliata’s victory in the Royal Lancaster Trophy on Saturday, December 29, 2018, trainer Anthony Nunes is still to be impressed as he expected more from his Soul Warrior – Red Gold chestnut colt.

All the rage on debut on December 12, Toona Ciliata finished third going 5 furlongs (1,000m) straight as the 1-5 favourite. He was 3 ¾ lengths behind Rojorn di Pilot and Enedina in a time of 59.1.

On Saturday, Toona Ciliata led home rivals by 2 ½ lengths in a maiden special weight contest over 5 furlongs (1,000m) on the round course.

Ridden by Shane Ellis, Toona Ciliata picked up the running from the half-mile (800m) ahead of Schlesinger (Romario Smith) and One Soo True (Samantha Fletcher).

Toona Ciliata was then set for home by Ellis and had to be ridden out as his main challenger, newcomer One Soo True was not giving up. One Soo True was second and Roy Rogers (Reyan Lewis) third with a final time of 1:00.3 and splits 23.4 and 47.1.

“This colt [ Toona Ciliata] again didn’t run to the way how he works in the morning. He works like a really talented colt and he still hasn’t put it together in the afternoon.

“The first time out, I was really disappointed in him ( Toona Ciliata) when he ran third place but I know what he is capable of and I am hoping he will mature as a three-year-old,” Nunes stated.

Although it is way too early before the Classic races, Nunes was, however, asked about his expectations for Toona Ciliata in the upcoming season.

“My expectations for Toona Ciliata is a possible Classic horse based on exercise but what I am seeing from his two runs to date he is not. As I said, they are young and maybe he wants a little more time to figure out what’s going on,” the trainer informed.