A long-range plan to snare a $100,000 Inglis bonus paid off for connections of Cosmo Centaurus when the son of Cosmic Force made a winning debut in the Butler Mcdermott Lawyers Maiden Hcp (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Ridden by apprentice Bailey Wheeler for his boss Robert Heathcote, Cosmo Centaurus rode the early speed and was strong to the line in winning by a length.

Heathcote was bullish on the gelding during the week declaring him the best 2-year-old he has had since Rothfire.

There was a touch of sadness to the win which Heathcote dedicated to Brad Russell.

“We lost our best mate Brad Russell at 58 in that kayak race at the Gold Coast last Saturday, so this is for you, mate,” Heathcote said.

A $30,000 pinhook for Randwick Bloodstock Agency Pty Ltd (FBAA) from the Fairview draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Cosmo Centaurus was bought by Robert Heathcote Racing / Paul Willetts Bloodstock Consultancy for $140,000 when offered by Middlebrook Valley Lodge at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

“He is a cracker. I might have put a bit of pressure on myself by saying he is the best juvenile I’ve had since Rothfire,” Heathcote said.

“He’s had four trials, but there has not been an issue. I wanted to win this race, and I felt that if I had run this horse in a maiden earlier, I could not have held him back.”

Cosmo Centaurus is the first foal of the Redoute’s Choice mare Weston Super Mare, a placed three-quarter sister to stakes-placed Mr Chah Cha out of the Group III winner Molly Dot Com.

Cosmo Centaurus is the tenth winner for Cosmic Force, who stands this season at a fee of $11,000.