Corumbene Stud’s George Altomonte took home the Exceed And Excel x Bahia colt when bidding fell short of his $950,000 reserve at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
That’s some commitment. However, the colt can boast some impressive bloodlines. He is a brother to Golden Slipper winner Overreach, Group II Expressway Stakes winner Standout and young Widden Stud stallion Outreach, who ran second at his only start to Vancouver in the Group III Canonbury Stakes.
That trio carried the Altomonte colours of orange, brown spots, white sleeves and cap.
Sent to Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, the colt named Stromboli opened his winning account at start four in a 1200m 3yo maiden at Ballarat on Sunday.
He placed fourth at Canterbury twice before venturing to Victoria, where he finished third behind the promising Plagiarized at Moonee Valley five days ago.
Given the run of the race, third on the fence by Jye McNeil, Stromboli eased out around the leader Salem on straitening and held the challenge of Robert The Puss (Bobby’s Kitten) by one and a quarter lengths with More Than Discreet (More Than Ready) a further one and a half lengths back in third.
“He is still immature. He got a bit lost when he hit the front,” McNeill said.
“He travelled through the gap behind the leader like he was going to win by a nice margin. Thankfully, when he felt the other horses coming behind him, he could quicken up and do enough to win.
“We hit the front early because we had to take the opportunity to get the run when it presented, and he had a real stargaze.
“I would suggest there is a bit more to come from him.”
A three-quarter brother to Blue Diamond winner and successful stallion Reward For Effort, Stromboli is the final foal for the undefeated Snippets mare Bahia.
The 19yo mare received an honourable pension in November after missing for three consecutive seasons.
