Tavistock 3YO Stakes a Derby Claim

Media Release - Saturday February 19

Just as pundits were set to talk of the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 5 as a one-horse race following La Crique’s dominant victory in the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m), late-bloomer Pinarello added another layer to the million dollar feature.

Pinarello looms into Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) contention with a comfortable win at Ellerslie Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

The well-bred son of Tavistock landed a Rating 65 event, the Ecochill 2100 in impressive fashion and despite a stop-start four-race preparation for Roger James and Robert Wellwood, has a sense of timing heading into the blue-riband event.

Having missed a planned run after a trackwork mishap before a below par third at Ruakaka earlier this month, Pinarello showed he was right back on track when cruising to a four and a half-length victory over his older rivals.

Pinarello settled midfield in a sedately run race and one off the fence before rider Vinnie Colgan was on the move 700 metres from home and let down strongly to defeat Castle Bay and Super Sid in 2:13.47.

As the winner of two of his four starts, with a further two placings, the Brendan and Jo Lindsay-raced gelding is now a $6 second favourite for the March 5 feature in a market headed by La Crique at $2.60.

“I can’t wipe the smile off my face and it’s a relief – we’ve been telling Brendan and Jo that he was a Derby prospect and he was disappointing at Ruakaka,” co-trainer Robert Wellwood said.

“This was only his fourth run and it was nice to see him do what we thought he could. He relaxed with the blinkers on and he was super impressive, we’re very proud of him.

Advertisement

“He is still learning and we’re hoping he can put his best foot forward in the big dance.”

Colgan’s confidence was boosted by Pinarello’s performance in what was an indifferently run contest.

“He was disappointing at Ruakaka, but that track can trip a few up. The blinkers sharpened him up and in a muddling run race he still got over the top of them and was strong through the line,” he said.

A half-brother to stakes winners Bavella and Vernazza, Pinarello is out of the Zabeel mare Zonza, who won the Gr.3 Ladies’ Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield for James.

Zonza has an unraced Tavistock two-year-old filly named Zazon, a yearling daughter of Almanzor and was served in 2021 by Bivouac. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Ecochill (Bm65) 2100m

Ellerslie Track: Dead(5) Time: 2:13.47
1
Pinarello
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Zonza (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: V A Colgan 58.5
2
4.5
Castle Bay
- 5m Castledale (IRE) x Strategic Blonde (NZ) (Strategic Image (AUS))
Tnr: W D Larsen Rdr: A J Calder 56.5
3
4.7
Super Sid
- 5g Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Half Bak (NZ) (Churchill Downs (AUS))
Tnr: D B Hollinshead Rdr: D J Danis 58
4
5.0
Ess Vee Are
- 3g Shocking (AUS) x Reiveke (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: D R Weatherley Rdr: S R Weatherley 58.5
5
5.4
Rising Road
- 5m Sufficient (NZ) x Star Road (NZ) (Danroad (AUS))
Tnr: N P Bishara Rdr: M Hashizume 55.5
6
5.6
Bunkers
- 4m Kermadec (NZ) x Inscrutable (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: A C Goindasamy 55
7
5.7
Trigon Lad
- 6g Towkay (AUS) x Trigon Lass (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: M, M F & M L Rogers Rdr: C M Burdan 56.5
8
8.7
All Paid Up
- 6g Unencumbered (AUS) x Redoutebelle (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: N S Parmar 57
9
10.3
Fast Willie
- 4g Teofilo (IRE) x Remind Me (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: K Asano 59.5
10
11.0
Amalfi Prince
- 3g Sebring (AUS) x Campania (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: O P Bosson 58.5
11
15.6
Insignia
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x Regalia (NZ) (Duelled (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: L H Satherley 55.5
12
16.0
Happy Remark
- 5g He's Remarkable (NZ) x Jungle Joy (NZ) (Jungle Pocket (JPN))
Tnr: A D Fuller Rdr: J Kamaruddin 53
13
19.9
Oso Savvy
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Heyday (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M Cameron 58.5
14
21.3
Lady Gwendolyn
- 5m Poet's Voice (GB) x Miss Charlize (ARG) (Lode (USA))
Tnr: Debbie Sweeney Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
More Reading...
MRC locks in leadership as Tanya Fullarton named CEO and Jonathan Munz joins as Vice Chairman
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed two major leadership appointments, naming Tanya Fullarton as Chief Executive Officer and leading business person, owner, and breeder Jonathan Munz as Vice Chairman.
One To Watch – Wyong
With her half-brother Private Eye set to line up in Saturday's $3m ATC Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick, 3yo Shalaa (IRE) filly Confidentiality broke her maiden on Thursday at Wyong at just her second start for trainer Joe Pride.
Waller Seeking Another Melbourne Cup
He may already have a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) win to his name but New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller says he still yearns to win the Flemington showpiece as much as anyone.
Go Racing Hoping for Big Day at Randwick
New Zealand syndicator Go Racing will be out to plunder the riches on offer at Randwick on Saturday, with their silks to be represented in two of the meeting’s key races.
Vin Cox to Join Forces with Star Thoroughbreds
Leading Australian syndicator Star Thoroughbreds has announced it will be partnering with Vin Cox for the 2026 yearling sales season.
Yulong Purchase into Star Kiwi Trained Filly
Yulong has purchased a 50 percent share in outstanding prospect Well Written with welcome news that she will remain in the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh for the rest of her racing career.
Walker Upbeat Heading into Flemington
Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel, with lightly-tried McWoody also making the field.
Henry Dwyer Secures Top Lot on Day 4 Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
Promising Wootton Bassett two-year-old SKIATHOS topped the fourth day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at 150,000 guineas with robust trade resulting in a clearance rate of 90% for the session. Turnover for the sale exceeded 33,000,000 guineas for only the fourth time in its history with a fifth and final session still to come on Friday, followed immediately by the Tattersalls Aut
Tabitha Ridley-Thomas Joins Magic Millions Bloodstock Team
Australia's leading thoroughbred auctioneer Magic Millions has boosted it's impressive Bloodstock Team with news Tabitha Ridley-Thomas has this week joined the company.
Promising Winner for Peltzer
Michael Freedman trained his first winner for Champion Thoroughbreds on Thursday at Wyong and promising Peltzer gelding Sir Loyne won in a manner to suggest there is much more to come.