Promising Lonhro gelding Sghirripa travelled from Woodchester to Caulfield to claim a maiden stakes win in the Listed Nick Johnstone Real Estate Christmas Stakes on Boxing Day.
Ridden by Craig Newitt for Shane & Cassie Oxlade, Sghirripa enjoyed a charmed run. Peeling off the leader's back on straightening, Sghirripa defeated Najem Suhail (Starspangledbanner) by one and three-quarter lengths with Curran (Night Of Thunder), three-quarters of a length back in third.
Coming off a second in the Village Stakes at Caulfield, Sghirripa advances his record to six wins, two seconds, and three thirds from 13 starts, with earnings of $356,115.
"When Kayla (Crowther) decided to stay home, my first call was to Craig" Shane Oxlade said.
"He has a habit of laying in, and Craig rides with the whip in his left hand.
'Sghirripa was very strong late and has a big future.
"He was good at Flemington, but I thought a corner might suit him better and Karla agreed.
"He only had four runs this prep, and we have a carnival coming up at home. It was a good race today, but I think he has a really nice race in him,. He has the rest of his life ahead of him. We will have a look and see what's around."
A $70,000 purchase for Francesco Sghirripa from the Grenville Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Sghirripa is the best of two winners from as many to race for the unraced Encosta De Lago mare Wonder I Do.
A $100,000 purchase for Grenville Stud from the Lime Country Thoroughbreds draft at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when carrying Sghirripa, Wonder I Do is a half-sister to stakes-winners Albumin and Holy Empire.
A granddaughter of the Group 1 VRC Oaks and Group 1 VATC One Thousand Guineas winner Tristanagh, Wonder I Do has a yearling filly by Merchant Navy who has been entered for the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Sghirripa is the 97th stakes-winner for Darley Stud's pensioned champion Lonhro.
