Defending champion Nerodio emerged from the gloom with a barnstorming finish to claim a second consecutive Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m) at Belmont on Saturday.
With apprentice Laqdar (Lucky) Ramoly in the saddle for Stephanie Bakranich, the 6yo son of Playing God arrived in the final few strides to defeat the flying grey Mervyn (Henny Hughes) by a short-neck with Resortman (Helmet) a further length back in third.
Winning for the first time in four starts since capturing the race twelve months ago, Nerodio advances his record to ten wins, four seconds and five thirds from 25 starts with earnings of $440,265.
“He ran a sensational race,” Stephanie Bakranich said.
“I was happy when it started raining because he goes well in the wet. He pulled up well after the Belmont Sprint although the 1400m did not suit him.
“I gave him two weeks in the paddock and he has had a month again (between runs).
“After they straightened, he was picking up speed and I thought we were going to get there.
“He (Remoly) just rides him superb – he loves the horse, and they have a special relationship.”
It was a big day for Remoly having outridden his claim.
A hombred for Livio and Renato Divitini, Nerodio is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the Lonhro mare Black Carat who also was bred and raced by the Divitini’s to three wins in 13 starts.
A half-sister to Listed winner Doyoudare (Langfur) and stakes-placegetters Jetoomy (Reset) and Just Markika (Grandera), Black Carat is one of eight winners from 10 to race out of the Dehere mare Bloomy.
Black Carat has an unraced 2yo filly by Magnus named Magnificent Carat, who was a $120,000 purchase by Adam Durrant from the Bellbridge Park draft the 2021 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
The Lonhro mare has a yearling colt by Maschino and was covered by Playing God last spring.
Nerodio is one of nine stakes winners for Playing God who strangely struggled for mares early on off a very moderate service fee, but covered a career high 128 mares at Darling View Thoroughbreds last spring.
The dual Group 1 winning son of Blackfriars stands for a fee of $13,200 in 2022.
