Promising Tarzino gelding Artzino made a long, sustained run from second last on the turn to open his winning account in Wednesday’s Ladbrokes Market Control Maiden (1500m) at Sandown-Hillside.
Ridden by Mark Zahra for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Artzino was tardy at the start and had plenty to do as the leader Ferrari Man showed no sign of stopping in the straight.
The son of Tarzino did not flinch after being set to an all-out drive 300m out.
The Australian Bloodstock colour-bearer edged out Ferrari Man (Menari) by a short-half-head with a further length and a quarter back to Berardino (Real Impact), who also made up plenty of ground.
It was start two for Artzino, a fast-finishing second when well fancied on debut on the synthetic at Pakenham on August 22.
“If he had jumped, he would have won by three lengths,” Zahra said.
“It was a good win because he was back with nothing to drag him into the race. I pulled him out before the bend, and he had to chase down on his own.
“It’s his first prep, so it’s always hard (to get to the Victoria Derby). But he is in the right camp, and the way he won today suggests he is in for better things."
Michael Kent Jnr said they will plot a path to the Victoria Derby.
“The heart’s still racing. He’s going to have to get better at the barriers because he did that on debut as well,” Kent Jnr said.
“I thought it almost impossible to win from where he was when the leader kicked away. It was a big effort to sustain a long sprint.
‘We have to time our run right to the Derby. A race like the Super Impose at Flemington in three and a half weeks might suit him. I will talk to Mark and the team, but it’s very exciting.”
A $60,000 purchase for Phill Cataldo Bloodstock (BAFNZ) / Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr Racing from the Seaton Park draft at the 2021 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Artzino is a half-brother to Listed CJC Canterbury Belle Stakes winner Art De Triomphe (Vadamos) and Group III-placed Arctic Shock (Shocking).
He is the fifth winner for Captain Rio (GB) mare Art Beat, a 3-time stakes winner highlighted by the Group III CJC Winter Cup.
Art Beat is a half-sister to Group III Manawatu Cup and Group III WRC Trentham Stakes winner Perfect Start (Perfectly Ready), who placed in the New Zealand cup and two Wellington Cups.
Go Racing shelled out $110,000 for a brother to Artzino at Karaka earlier this year.
Art Beat has a yearling colt by Vadamos (FR) and was covered by Tarzino last spring.
Victoria Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner is covering at a fee of $15,000 (+GST) at Westbury Stud this spring.
