Super Seth is settling into his new home at Coolmore Australia and posted a new stakes-winner in New Zealand on Saturday when exciting filly Perlino strode clear to win the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton.
Prepared by Te Akau Racing duo Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Perlino has been based in their South Island stable in the care of assistant trainer Hunter Durrant for the last four of her six starts, where she has built a tidy record of two wins and a third-placed finish in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at her last run.
Expected to relish a further increase in distance to 2000m, Perlino was sent out favourite and duly obliged courtesy of a patient ride by Bruno Queiroz.
Allowed to settle beyond midfield in the early running, Queiroz had Perlino travelling comfortably approaching the home bend, but held up in a pocket behind runners and desperately searching for clear air.
Once clear, Perlino charged clear of her rivals and to score by a length and a half.
Durrant said he was confident during the running despite the filly being further back than anticipated.
“It was a really cool, calm and collected ride by Bruno as he was probably a few pairs back (during the running) than we expected,” Durrant said. “He got the gap and she was too good.
“They went a bit hard in front, so I wasn’t that worried, and she has been a quality filly going forward.
“The team here have done a great job with her and it is good to get one on the board down here for everyone.”
Perlino was purchased by David Ellis for $120,000 from the Curraghmore draft at Karaka Book 1 and has three wins and two placings from seven starts.
She is the best of two winners from Palomino, a placed half-sister by Exceed and Excel to stakes-winner Malice and to the dam of stakes-winner Gin Spirit.
Perlino traces back to a great female family to fourth dam Gainesville (USA), whose descendants include Group I winners Criterion, Comin’ Through and Charm Stone.
Perlino is the ninth stakes-winner for Super Seth.
