Australian billionaire Terry Snow has built an impressive equestrian empire at his Willinga Park property at Bawley Point on the South Coast of NSW and has invested in all sorts of horses ranging from stock horses, to elite dressage and eventing horses as well as thoroughbreds with his exciting 3YO Willinga Rufio stamping himself as a bright prospect when bolting in at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trained by Mark Newnham, the son of Dundeel was an easy maiden winner over 1500m at Hawkesbury last month and was stepped straight into a Benchmark 72 event over 1800m.
He looked a class above in the mounting yard and raced accordingly, travelling strongly on the pace for Tyler Schiller and accelerating away to win as he pleased by nearly three lengths.
"Really dominant win, I thought Tyler rode him and rated him really well in front," Mark Newnham said.
"What was really good to see was how strong he was even from the furlong home, so quite a promising horse.
"He's done a little bit more each preparation, I'm pleased we've got some nice patient owners.
"It'll just be a matter of whether we run him once more or give him a little break and look at something a bit better in the spring."
Willinga Rufio was withdrawn from Inglis Easter by Arrowfield Stud and sold privately and has already won over $100,000 in prizemoney from just two starts.
Bred by Arrowfield, Willinga Rufio is a full brother to South African Group I winner Atyaab and half-brother to stakes-winner Vesper being the sixth winner and final foal from multiple Group II winner Sylvaner, who was retired from stud duties last year.
A half-sister to Group I winner Centisle, Sylvaner comes from a family packed with Black Type performers and Willinga Rufio looks capable of adding further lustre to pedigree.
Footnote: Terry Snow has just sent an elite team of dressage horses to the UK and three staff including leading Australian dressage rider Jayden Brown with a two year plan to earn a start in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The horses were on the same flight as Royal Ascot contenders Nature Strip, Home Affairs and Artorius!
