Lee and Cherie Curtis have lofty goals for their progressive Castelvecchio mare Modella, who resumed from a spell to win the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday.
Modella was tested in Group company back in the autumn and was not beaten far in some very good races won by the likes of Idle Flyer.
Given two barrier trials to prepare for her return, Modella was sent off favourite with Zac Lloyd to ride and after settling back in the field following a tardy getaway, she charged to the line to get up and win by a neck in a thrilling finish.
A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase from Arrowfield for her trainers, Modella runs for an ownership group that includes Frank and Christine Cook of Mystery Downs in whose colours she runs.
Modella has the overall record of four wins and three placings from 13 starts with prizemoney topping $480,000.
“She’s all quality and this sets us up perfectly for our spring,” said Cherie Curtis.
“We’re looking towards the Golden Pendant (G2 September 26) and she is also in the Epsom noms and maybe the Invitation ($2million October 24), so there are plenty of options.”
Zac Lloyd has ridden Modella in three of her four wins and is confident she can measure up in better class.
“She was quite fresh in the gates and missed the start, so I just had to trust I was on a good horse, but when I looked up at the 400m mark I thought I’m a long way off them here, but she really motored,” said Lloyd.
“She has an electric turn of foot and will be competitive in stakes races this prep for sure.”
Bred by Arrowfield in partnership, Modella is the best of two winners from three foals to race from Ms Rodarte, a metro winning half-sister by I Am Invincible to Group III winner Ms Catherine from Group III winner Lucky Diva.
Ms Rodarte has a yearling filly by Castelvecchio and is due to foal to Maurice (Jpn) this spring.
Modella is the seventh stakes-winner for Castelvecchio, who stands at a fee of $60,500 at Arrowfield alongside his sire Dundeel.
