Irish Bred Fastnet Rock Wins G3 Technology Stakes

Media Release - Saturday November 28

It took every metre of the Ellerslie home straight for consistent galloper Gino Severini to finally gain the upper hand over his rivals as the Fastnet Rock gelding captured his first stakes victory in the Group III Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m).

Michael McNab gest the best out of Gino Severini  Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley-trained seven-year-old had finished in the minor placings in each of his three starts in this campaign and that looked likely again on Saturday as he spotted pacemaker The Mitigator a two-length margin with just 150m to run in the Group Three contest.

Rider Michael McNab asked Gino Severini for one last effort and he surged strongly to get up and beat The Mitigator by a short head with Sultan Of Swing battling on strongly for third just ahead of Demonetization.

Cooksley was delighted to see his charge get the win on what is proving to be his favourite track, having now won or been placed in eight of his 12 starts at the venue.

“He always tries really hard and is normally thereabouts,” Cooksley said.

“I think he can go on most tracks and over most distances but he does seem to like it at Ellerslie.

“It was a good win as the runner-up can be a very hard horse to get past.”

While all of his wins have come at either 1400m or 1600m, Cooksley believes a rise in distance won’t hold any fears for the former European and Hong Kong galloper.

Advertisement

“I think he can go over most distances as he relaxes well in his races,” he said.

“He went a super race for fourth in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) earlier this year so 2000m won’t be a problem for him.

“Michael said he was very relaxed today which is what you want in those big races.

“He goes well at Ellerslie so we might have a look at the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m) on Boxing Day although there is also the Rich Hill Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) on New Year’s day, so there are plenty of options for him.”

Gino Severini commenced his career in Ireland where he won one of his eight races before being exported to Hong Kong where he performed below expectations in three starts there.

Sent to New Zealand in late 2018 he has now won five times while also being placed on seven occasions for career prizemoney of $209,000.

Irish bred Gino Severini is a half-brother to Group I winner Millisle, the Champion 2YO European Filly of 2019, and stakes-winner Ithoughtitwasover being one of nine winners from terrific producer Green Castle.

Gino Severini is the 163rd stakes-winner worldwide for Coolmore’s champion sire Fastnet Rock.

The victory completed a stellar day for McNab who won both of the Ellerslie features having been successful aboard impressive three-year-old Tellall in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m) just one race earlier. –NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Eagle Technology Stakes Gr3 1600m

Ellerslie Track: Good(3) Time: 1:34.75
1
Gino Severini
- 7g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Green Castle (IRE) (Indian Ridge (IRE))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55
Fastnet Rock
2
0.2
The Mitigator
- 6g Master Of Design (AUS) x Charming Ruby (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: P N McKay Rdr: T N Harris 58
3
1.7
Sultan Of Swing
- 8g Bachelor Duke (USA) x Queen Cha Cha (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: T Yanagida 55
4
2.0
Demonetization
- 6g All Too Hard (AUS) x Midnight Special (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: N W Tiley Rdr: L G Innes 55
5
2.2
Vadavar
- 6h Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Vadapolina (FR) (Trempolino (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Brennan Rdr: M Cameron 55
6
4.5
Aligns With Me
- 6g Align (AUS) x Champagne Lady (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: K W Hawtin Rdr: S R Weatherley 55
7
4.7
Beauden
- 6g Bullbars (AUS) x Belle Femme (AUS) (Zeditave (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R T Elliot 55.5
8
5.7
Charles Road
- 7g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Giant Mystique (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: C J Grylls 55
9
6.3
Tiptronic
- 7g O'Reilly (NZ) x Tiptoes (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: D S Johnson 58
10
12.6
Redcayenne
- 7g Bullbars (AUS) x Sunday Whisper (AUS) (Sunday Silence (USA))
Tnr: A J Morley Rdr: A C Goindasamy 55
More Reading...
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Royal Ascot Day 4- Roughies Rule and an Aussie Owned Fairytale
The racing roller coaster took a big dive at Royal Ascot on Day 4 which was not a good day for favourite backers with roughies ruling in both G1 races and a first season sire produced the winner of the juvenile feature on the card.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 21
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.