Testa Rossa raised the curtain with his new-season two year-olds when blueblood Ellicazoom won a trial at Belmont on Monday.
The Neville Parnham trained filly won by a length from Gangbuster (Blackfriars) in a hit-out over 850m. They finished 12 lengths in front of the third horse home.
Ellicazoom (2f Testa Rossa – Ellicorsam by Fimiston) cost Parnham and owner Santo Guagliardo $180,000 at the 2015 Gold Coast Magic Millions. Her dam won the Winterbottom Stakes in Perth before transferring to Lee Freedman for a Group 1 victory in the Swettenham Stud Stakes at Morphettville.
Ellicorsam has foaled three winners from three to race including El Doute (Redoute’s Choice) who won the Macaulay Ford Excellency 2YO Stakes (1200m) and Riccarton Guineas Trial (1400m) in NZ.
Testa Rossa missed a golden opportunity to sire another Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes winner when Testamezzo injured a tendon in the lead-up to this year’s Ascot carnival. The Vinery stallion won the 2011 Winterbottom with his class mare Ortensia.
Testamezzo was rated one of the west’s most promising three year-olds last summer after winning the LR Raconteur Stakes and Magic Millions 3YO Trophy.
Parnham has a full-brother to Testamezzo that cost $220,000 at this year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions. He is also owned by Guagliardo and has been named Luna Rossa.
Testa Rossa has maintained a phenomenal 73% winners-to-runners over the last decade and Vinery is standing him for a $19,800 (inc GST) service fee.
