First Australian Stakes Winner for Gio Ponti

Mark Smith - Friday January 26

It looked bleak for punters when race favourite Cordero was near the tale of the field, smothered away with nowhere to go, coming into the straight in the Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm.

Brenton Avdulla took the only option left, switch back to the rails and ride for luck and it was the winning move. Stuck hard up against the rails, Cordero finished best to nose out Dee I Cee with the ever-consistent Destiny's Kiss carrying his 60.5 kgs into third.

The progressive 4yo gelding made it four wins on the trot while ringing up number one at his first stakes attempt.

Advertisement

Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Cordero advances his overall record to six wins and one third from 12 starts with earnings of $300,465.


He becomes the first stakes-winner in Australia for the one-season Arrowfield shuttler Gio Ponti (USA).

Brenton Avdulla said it was more a matter of luck than good judgement.

"I think it was more luck than anything, he said.

"It became a very muddling run race, I found the back of Hughie (Bowman) on Montauk thinking he would take me somewhere but he just wanted to sit and trying to get cover so I went back to the fence and got a miracle run.

Hawkes stable representative said little went right in the early stages.

"I won't lie, I was cussing in the middle stages when I saw how slow they were going. It was a huge effort by the horse and Brenton. He got a lovely run up the inside and was really tough at the end.

"He has continued to work through the grades this preparation. This was a step-up for him and he showed he was up to the mark.

"He is a lovely, progressive type so you'd only think he could only improve from here."


Passed in short of his $140,000 reserve when consigned by Arrowfield Stud at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Cordero (pictured as a yearling ) races in the colours of his breeder Jim Cloros.

The son of Gio Ponti is a half-brother to Group[ II Ajax Stakes winner Messene (Lonhro).

His dam Belle Giselle (Redoute's Choice) is out of the unraced Kenmare mare Mam'selle Giselle who is a sister to Group 1 Australia Guineas winner Baryshnikov and a half-sister to Zabeel who also won the Group 1 Australia Guineas before rewriting the record books at Cambridge Stud, New Zealand.

Belle Giselle has a yearling filly by Dundeel who will be in the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

After foaling another filly by Dundeel, Belle Giselle was one of 120 mares to visit Maurice (JPN) last spring.

A 7-time Group 1 winner in America, Gio Ponti (Tale Of The Cat) (pictured ) left just 40 live foals in his only southern hemisphere season in 2012.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.
Wootton Bassett Colt Salutes at Sandown
Overdue for a win, talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Yamashita’s Gold shook off maiden status with a determined victory at Sandown on Wednesday for the Gavid Bedggood stable.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Too Darn Hot nomination realises $255,000 in August (Late) Sale
A nomination in exceptional young stallion Too Darn Hot has topped today’s Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, selling for $255,000.
Black Type Potential for Zoustar Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy have  plans to tackle Black Type races with promising Zoustar colt Prestar, who scored his second win from just five starts at Randwick on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Last to First – He’s Seriously Hot!
Sent to the paddock after just one placing from five starts at two that included three attempts in stakes company, Siriusly Hot returned a gelding at Randwick and it certainly made a difference!
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.