Testa Rossa sprinter Reldas has rubber-stamped the form out of Group 1 company with a convincing victory in the LR Abell Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
He is the 57th stakes winner for Vinery’s outstanding winner-getter and Friday night’s result came just hours after Testa Rossa filly Rosaleisha stormed home in the Albury Guineas (1400m).
Reldas was beaten a length and change in the G1 Oakleigh Plate before returning to Moonee Valley where he has won 5 times in 10 starts. “I didn’t have to use him up too much in the run,” jockey Mark Zahra said. “We sat behind the leader and he sprinted away when the gap appeared.”
Testa Rossa sired him from Classic Status (Marscay) who has also foaled Adelaide stakes winner Victory Chant (General Nediym). He has earned $331,290 for an Aquanita syndicate and trainer Robert Smerdon since graduating from the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale for $82,000.
“We always liked him,” Smerdon said. “But he didn’t reach his potential until we had him gelded as a three year-old.”
Earlier on Friday, Rosaleisha collected a $50,000 Inglis Bonus after swooping to a strong victory in the Albury Guineas (1400m). She had won a Gosford maiden in October and among her autumn nominations is the G2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) at Randwick on April 9.
Rosaleisha is the latest Testa Rossa filly to bank an Inglis incentive for trainer Bjorn Baker following Twilight Royale who won over $300,000 in bonuses. “It’s a huge win for the owners and many of them were in Twilight Royale,” Baker said. “Her class today tells me she’s on the way to black type during The Championships and the Scone Guineas is another option.”
Baker bought her from Yallambee Stud for $90,000 at the 2014 Melbourne Premier Sale. Her dam Galeisha (Galileo) is related to Testa Rossa stakes winner Jiang (G2 Maribyrnong Plate).
