VINERY Stud resident Testa Rossa enjoyed one of his most productive days in an illustrious career registering three stakes performers within hours including his 28th individual stakeswinner.
Melbourne filly Panipique ($15) lowered the boom on odd-son favourite and reigning Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily ($1.70) winning today’s Listed MRC Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield for trainer Peter Moody and prominent Scone owner/breeder Stuart Ramsey.
”She’s worked with (stablemate) Curtana (a recent impressive Caulfield winner) at Caulfield on Tuesday morning and in fairness has always been able to (go with her),” Moody told AAP.
”So that gave us a good feeling until you see a Golden Slipper winner in the race.”
Ridden by Luke Nolen, Panipique settled fifth on the inside of Crystal Lily and that pair drew away to fight out the finish with Panipique forging clear late to score by three-quarters of a length.
Moody has nominated the Group two VRC Danehill Stakes (1200m) as Panipique’s immediate goal on her way to the Group One MRC One Thousand Guineas (1600m) later in the spring.
Forty minutes later at the Heath, Warrnambool gelding Nicastro staged a gritty performance to hold down third in the Listed MRC 65th Anniversary End of WWII Stakes (1500m) in a highly competitive affair.
The Jarrod McClean trained 4YO drew wide and chased tearaway leader Avenue in a break neck pace yet was able to maintain his ground despite the exhaustive effort.
The icing on the cake so far as Testa Rossa’s magnificent day is concerned came in Sydney with the Group Three STC Run to the Rose (1300m).
Novacastrian colt Testarhythm heads into Saturday week’s Group One STC Golden Rose (1400m) as one of the live chances after taking third in today’s lead-in behind crack colts Squamosa and Masquerader.
“It’s been a day to savour for Testa Rossa and an ominous pointer as we head into the spring carnivals in Sydney and Melbourne,” Vinery’s Conor Phelan said.
“Testa Rossa ended last season in sixth position on the General Sire’s list, he stands every chance of bettering that this season with a large number of high quality younger stock coming through.”
