DESPITE an encouraging first time run by bay colt Don Almighty on Saturday (March 23, 2019) trainer Anthony Nunes believes his charge is behind time to make it to the 2000 Guineas which is scheduled for April 14.

Ridden by Linton Steadman, Don Almighty ( Casual Trick – Eighteen Karat) romped home by 4 ½ lengths in Division 1 of a maiden condition race for native-bred colts and geldings over 6 furlongs (1,200m).

Don Almighty, who is a half-brother to Dontae, won in a time of 1:14.3 backed by splits of 23.1 and 46.3 for the half-mile (800m).

“Pretty good performance. Not bad as he ( Don Almighty] is still a little green plus [he] drew number one and I think he likes to be stretched out.

“Six furlongs, I don’t think is his best trip and so all in all it was a nice first-time performance, it was pretty good,” Nunes said.

He continued: “Well, the Classics start in three weeks and we are not sure we will be there but I am going to discuss it with the owners and see.

“ Don Almighty is going to get better as time goes by. He is behind the eight-ball timing wise but he certainly has some talent.”

It was an even start for most runners as the first to show on the lead was Bloodsweatandtears (Ruja Lahoe) ahead of Beach Boy (Dane Nelson) and Don Almighty.

As the eight runners made their way towards the half-mile (800m), Beach Boy surged to the lead but was overtaken by Don Almighty at the three-eighths pole and the two drew off from the field.

Coming into the lane, Beach Boy surged back to the lead but Don Almighty rallied on the inside rails for an easy victory.

Bloodsweatandtears also railed in deep stretch for second place with Raw Liquid (Kiaman McGregor) getting third.