TESTA Rossa’s recent run of stakeswinners for Vinery has gathered even more momentum after filly Sistine Angel powered past her rivals in a stunning last to first effort in today’s MRC H.D.F McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The last stakes race set aside for 3YO’s at the Heath saw the Peter Moody trained Panipique become Testa Rossa’s 28th individual stakeswinner when handing reigning Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily a rare defeat in the Quezette Stakes.
“Testa Rossa is having a great run at present, particularly with his 3YO’s which are the first crop of Testa’s bred at Vinery,” the stud’s Conor Phelan said.
Today’s win was the first major for Andrew Noblet’s Sistine Angel who was placed in the Listed MRC Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at only her second start.
Noblet paid $60,000 for Sistine Angel at the 2009 Magic Millions Sale in Perth.
Concieved, born and reared at Vinery, Sistine Angel is out of Famous Painter, a Peintre Celebre daughter of former speed mare Rancheetah, a stakeswinner herself and dam of Group Two winner Gallopini and the Maribyrnong Trial winner, Land Speed Record.
Sistine Angel earned black type as a two-year-old when she ran third in the Blue Sapphire Stakes.
First up as a three-year-old today, Sistine Angel displayed a brilliant turn of foot to come from last and win the McNeil Stakes.
“It was a hard task first up,” Noblet said. “She’s come back from her last preparation really well and to do that first up is a great effort.”
She’s come back pretty well. She’s got a bit of improvement in her.”
“The Thousand Guineas is her main aim.”
