Proisir Filly Legarto wins G2 Eight Carat

Media Release - Monday December 26

Class three-year-old filly Legarto maintained her unbeaten record with a stunning performance to win the Gr.2 ATR Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe after most punters had written off her winning chances in the home straight.

Legarto completes an amazing victory in the Gr.2 ATR Eight Carat Classic (1600m) Photo Credit: Kristin Ledington

Sent out at the cramped odds of $1.10 in her first start since delivering an elite level victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last month, the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained runner settled near the back of the field as front-runner Wessex set up a solid pace.

With most riders keeping a wary eye on Legarto, Wessex and rider Craig Zackey increased their margin to be more than ten lengths clear as they rounded the home bend.

Ryan Elliot aboard Legarto had begun to move forward at that stage but was still well in arrears as Wessex went for gold at the 300m.

Inch by inch Legarto clawed back the ground on both Wessex and the hard chasing Skew Whiff and within the shadows of the post the Proisir filly sailed past the pair to register her fifth win from just five starts.

Ken Kelso admitted he had all but given away the winning chances of his charge when he saw how much ground she had to make up in the home straight.

“There were a lot of anxious moments as I didn’t think we could pick that horse up,” Kelso said.

“I had pretty much given it away, but she is something special, very smart and just has that will to win.”

While keen to add further black type to the filly’s record, Kelso was also using the race as a chance for Legarto to familiarise herself with surroundings before tackling the NZ $1million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at the venue next month.

“She had a good look around and that was part of the exercise today,” he said.

“I couldn’t be happier with her although you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t get nervous before a race like this.

Advertisement

“I’m now just very relieved.”

Elliot was left looking for superlatives after the race.

“We actually got the perfect run of the race, on the back of the second favourite and rolling into it nicely,” he said.

“That one in front gave us something to run down and my filly just kept giving.

“Every time I asked her, she kept finding lengths and she gave me an unbelievable feel.

“The scary thing is she is starting to get better and better in her trackwork and it is starting to show out on the track now.”

A $90,000 purchase for Phillip Brown of Ancroft Stud from Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2021, Legarto is raced by many of the same connections as the multiple Group 1-winning mare Levante, including former Waikato Racing Club chief executive Tony Enting.

Bred by Bay of Plenty farmer Warwick Jeffries, Legarto is out of Towkay mare Geordie Girl and has now won all five of her raceday starts for just over $389,000 in prizemoney.

TAB Bookmakers have her at the head of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic Fixed Odds market at a $1.60 quote. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Atr Eight Carat Classic Gr2 1600m

Pukekohe Park Track: Good(3) Time: 1:34.7
1
Legarto
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Geordie Girl (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
2
1.3
Skew Wiff
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Starvoia (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
3
1.4
Wessex
- 3f Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Trepidation (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C Zackey 56.5
4
5.4
Val Di Zoldo
- 3f War Decree (USA) x Civetta (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 56.5
5
6.9
Shez Class
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Mill Duckie (NZ) (Magic Ring (IRE))
Tnr: Ms J K Mahoney Rdr: K Asano 56.5
6
7.1
Sassyness
- 3f Sacred Falls (NZ) x Pleased (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
7
7.5
Kaidu's Pride
- 3f Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Altesino (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: R P Liefting Rdr: L H Satherley 56.5
8
7.8
Bella Tivaci
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x Novelty (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: N P Bishara Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
9
8.8
Nana's Wish
- 3f Belardo (IRE) x Third Choice (NZ) (Kashani (USA))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: W B Kennedy 56.5
10
16.9
Just A Karin
- 3f Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Maleficent (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: A J Morley Rdr: T D Thornton 56.5
11
18.9
Librarsi
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Tennessee Love (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: K L Hannan 56.5
More Reading...
Big Pay Day Looms for Proisir Mare Legarto
The connections of short-priced favourite Legarto are in for a massive payday following Saturday’s $450,000 Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, irrespective of the result.
So You Think Filly Wins G2 Edward Manifold
Danny O’Brien believes he has the Group I VRC Oaks in his sights with So You Think filly Getta Good Feeling breaking her maiden in the best way possible with a last stride win in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Inglis and Yulong Confirm Magic Time for Everest Slot
Inglis will partner with worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong for the running of the 2025 The Everest, with the combination to be represented by Magic Time in the $20m contest.
Can Lightning Strike Twice for Legarto?
Ken Kelso is hoping lightning might strike twice when Legarto makes her second start at Flemington in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m).
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.