Extreme Choice colt Don Corleone put himself in Golden Slipper contention when overcoming a troubled run to make a winning career debut in the Petaluma Hcp (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Ridden by James McDonald for Peter and Paul Snowden, Don Corleone was never closer than three deep the trip from an outside barrier and quickened impressively to defeat fellow Newgate Graduate, the $1.7million I Am Invincible filly Kundalini by three-quarters of a length.

“He has always been a nice horse who has shown a fair bit at home,” Peter Snowden said.

“His trials have been OK, so I put the blinkers on to make a statement and make sure he is the horse I believe him to be.

“He is a very nice horse. There is plenty of him, and he is tough and has plenty going for him. He has got a great attitude and is very laid back.

“Sprinting is not his go, but he made a statement today that he knows what racing is about and delivered in spades.”

Bred by Gilgai Farm, Don Corleone was the third most expensive lot at the 2021 National Weanling Sale when knocked down to China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock for $650,000.

Don Corleone is a half-brother to stakes-placed The Drinks Cart and is the fifth winner from stakes-placed Snipzu, who comes from the family of Group I STC Ranvet Stakes winner Arkady.