A transfer across the Tasman has given Sasso Corbaro a chance to add some valuable black-type to her pedigree page at Trentham this Saturday.

The daughter of All Too Hard is a $4.20 second-favourite for the Lightning Hcp LR over 1200m following a brilliant first-up win at Otaki last month.  “It was a really good effort to miss the kick and then come right down the outside to beat them hands down,” trainer Jamie Richards said.  “We’re not sent horses as good as her very often.”

Sasso Corbaro stripped for her New Zealand debut with a several gear changes.  Richards added front concussion plates, a lugging-bit and tongue-tie for the first time and she responded with a performance that had the Matamata trainer singing her praises.

“She’s the first horse we’ve had in the stable for China Horse Club and it’s a great start with them,” Richards added.  “We’re still getting to know her and I’m really happy with the way she has come through that fresh win.  She’s a big mare and has certainly got a lot of ability.”

Sasso Corbaro completed a hat-trick at Randwick last season for trainer Kris Lees prior to a midfield finish in the 2018 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas RL.  Her dam Furline (Tale Of The Cat) was a Morphettville stakes-performer from the family of Epsom Hcp Gr.1 winner Captain Sonador.

More Than Ready 3yo Bella Pronto is another filly who has benefited from a move across the ditch.  She overcame difficulties to nail a last stride victory at Avondale a month ago and can win again at Tauranga on Saturday.

Bella Pronto failed in three starts around the NSW provincials for Bjorn Baker last year but looked a different filly first-up for new trainer Stephen Marsh.  Her dam Rose Of Pania (Redoute’s Choice) is an unraced sister to Group 1 winning mare Lotteria.

More Than Ready also has 2yo black-type on the horizon with Holy Mongolemperor.  He finished midfield on debut at Pukekohe after being restricted for room in the straight.

Holy Mongolemperor is trained by Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman for the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry.  A progressive performance second-up at Trentham on Saturday will earn him a Group 1 berth in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni on March 30.

More Than Ready was in the spotlight when the 2019 North American 2YO sale season began in Florida this week.  His colt from Spinning Time (Giant’s Causeway) sold for $390,000 at the Ocala Sale after breezing 400m in 21s flat.  Purchased by Prince Sultan bin Mishal Al Saud, he’s a half-brother to multiple winner Bronco Sally (Congrats).  Their dam is an unraced daughter of French Group 3 winner Turning Wheel (Seeking the Gold).

Woodford Thoroughbreds was the vendor and the Kentucky stud’s sales director Beth Bayer described him as an ‘extraordinary’ colt.