An unbeaten rising star, a VRC Derby campaign confirmed and a treble of trials wins around the country today capped off a fantastic week for the stock of Inglewood Stud’s young sire Zacinto.
The young son of Dansili certainly has a headline act in his unbeaten son Ugo Foscolo, who returned for his first start at three to dominate a hot field in the El Roca 3YO Sprint (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Jumping from the inside gate, Ugo Foscolo headed straight to the front where he coasted along with his head on his chest. Entering the home straight he was asked to quicken with just the highly regarded Hall Of Fame keeping pace, but Ugo Foscolo was never really tested and coasted to the line with half a length to spare.
The Gr.2 Hawkes Bay Guineas looms as the next challenge for the youngster, while he is expected to be among the early favourites for the NZ 2000 Guineas in November after first nominations closed today.
Hot on Ugo Foscolo’s win came a treble of trial winners around the country today. At Rangiora the promising youngster Strowan was a dominate winner of his 850m heat for the Andrew Carston stable, while at Avondale, Zacinto supplied the winner of back to back Maiden 3YO 850 heats with Lily Grecia and Lady Alice both jumping well before finding a kick in the straight to win comfortably. Adding to the day’s events were Zawhip and an un-named colt out of Miss Holland who both finished second in their heats in head-bobbing finishes.
The fine week for Zacinto was rounded out with news from Melbourne that Zacinto gelding Odeon will indeed be set on a campaign targeting the VRC Derby at Flemington in late October. The showy stayer became the first Australian winner for Zacinto when he claimed a 1700m maiden event at Geelong earlier this month in emphatic style. His next start will come in either the Listed Morphettville Guineas on September 10 or a 3YO mile at Caulfield on September 17.