Testa Rossa raider Enzo's Lad has created history with a second stunning victory in the Telegraph Hcp Group I at Trentham.
The South
Island star won Wellington's premier sprint as a $74 longshot last year and he
returned for a repeat result at $33 on Saturday. He's the first back-to-back
Telegraph winner since Mr Tiz in 1989-90.
Enzo's Lad (6g Testa Rossa – Sheerama by Catbird) was given the run of the race by Michael McNab and kicked off the dog-leg to collar front-runner Ferrando right on the line.
"What a horse!" McNab said. "I always felt he was going to get past the leader but we were running out of time. They didn't call who won it and I didn't want a dead heat. It's unreal"
The win sparked jubilant celebrations in the enclosure. "Lightning really does strike twice," co-owner Phil Bentley beamed. "And he might make it three strikes back here next January."
Trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman both stayed closer to home at Gore leaving Michael's wife Diane to saddle Enzo's Lad in the Telegraph. "I wish they were here," she said. "It's a fantastic day for a wonderful bunch of owners with a horse who tries his heart out every time."
A $15,000
graduate of the 2014 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Enzo's Lad has won
7 of his 27 starts for earnings of $392,650. His dam is a half-sister to
Schillaci Stakes Gr.2 winner Patpong.
Testa Rossa's Kiwi filly Dreamtesta looked a good thing beaten when runner-up in the Gore Guineas LR earlier on Saturday. She tramped three-wide for the entire trip but raced up to the leaders at the furlong only to be bloused out in the final strides by $51 outsider Air Max.
Now rising 22 and covering limited books at Vinery, Testa Rossa has 6 yearlings entered for the Inglis Classic Sale commencing on Saturday evening, February 9. First to parade is the colt from Joe Pride's Canterbury winner Annabels (Lot 51).
News from Vinery stud
