Queensland raider Scallopini doesn’t mind a trip to Melbourne and pulled out his A game at Flemington on Saturday to win the Listed VRC Elms Stakes (1400m).
The Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted trained eight year-old son of Snitzel made light of his 60kg to score by three quarters of a length under Damian Lane at his second run back from a spell.
The old warrior gave a great kick down the running and stuck to his guns late to hold off the challengers.
“He’s an old marvel, he just keeps coming up prep after prep and as an eight year-old is in career best form,” said Matthew Hoysted.
“I thought me might be a touch vulnerable today, second up from a spell with a month between runs and a big weight from a wide alley. Once you get him into a nice rhythm he loves these big open spacious tracks and we are so proud of the horse and the whole team."
Scalliopini advances his record to 12 wins and 14 placings from 40 starts with earnings now ticking over $1million.
Purchased by Proven Thoroughbreds/Steve O'Dea for $200,000 from the Yarraman draft at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Scallopini was bred by Steve Gillard.
Scallopini is the older half-brother to Group II winning mare Shades of Rose and is one of three winners from unraced More Than Ready (USA) mare Rose Of Mulan, a daughter of crack racemare Lady Mulan, winner of the Group II ATC Light Fingers Stakes and placed in the Group I QTC TJ Smith Classic, Group I Coolmore Classic and Group I Flight Stakes.
Rose Of Mulan produced a filly by Hellbent last spring and is now in foal to I Am Invincible.
