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Nick DeCosta hopes his champion pony, GV Colonel Spence, could be in for another record-breaking season.

DeCosta, who won the Champion of Champions and equalled the track record twice on Colonel Spence last season, believes there is still life in the old horse yet.

The veteran pony set the fastest time at the track in last week's opening race day and DeCosta still harbours hopes that he can break the record again.

"He's getting on in years now, so time will tell if he's going to stay strong or if he's going to start to fade.

"I'd like to think he can break the record again, it depends if age catches up with him or not.

"We'll take it race by race."

As well as Colonel Spence, DeCosta is excited about two of his new two-year-old ponies - Brona's Mile and He De Mon.

"The two-year-olds are the rookies of the track. At this stage in the season everyone's watching the two-year-olds because it's the first time they've raced. It's interesting to see which ones are going to turn out fast and which won't.

"Even with your own ponies you don't know or sure until you see them race for the first time. You can only tell so much in training."

DeCosta said he had been impressed with the turn out on the first race day and with the standard of the two-year-olds.

He highlights Andy Stoneham's Tux's Revenge, which set the fastest time in the age-category on Saturday, and Aaron Sims' Real Time and Rumour Has It as two to watch.

"Last week was a pretty impressive debut for the two-year-olds. Friday night we are looking to see how they improve and to see if the ones that didn't go so well can start to compete.

"At the moment it's shaping up to be one of the most exciting two-year-old stakes we've had in recent years."

The stakes races will take place on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.[[In-content Ad]]

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