Belardo 2YO Takes Aim at Karaka Million

Media Release - Thursday November 28

A tilt at the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in January is on the cards for promising juvenile Romanoff following his maiden victory in the Uza Bus Two-Year-Old (1100m) at Otaki on Thursday when he ran away from $1.1million Zoustar colt Fury of Fight.

The son of Belardo showed plenty of inexperience on debut at Te Rapa earlier this month when over-racing during the middle stages and fading to finish last in the seven-horse field, and on Thursday he showed he still has plenty to learn despite posting his maiden victory.

Romanoff on his way to winning at Otaki on Friday.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

He jumped well for jockey Michael McNab and raced outside pacemaker Hello My Dear for the majority of the journey until he was asked to improve at the turn and he quickly shot clear of his rivals.

Romanoff looked to be a comfortable victor, however, he almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when running out in the final 50m, but despite his late indiscretion he was still able to win by a length over Curzon Park with Fury of Fight in third place.

McNab had been warned prior to the race about the colt’s quirks, and he didn’t disappoint.

“He was explained to me as cheeky,” McNab said. “When they were pushing me to ride him, I had two phone calls and three people talked to me about him.

“He was perfect until the last bit. Although he was doing a little bit (wrong) the whole way up the straight, he was still going forward alright, and I didn’t expect him to stop and duck (out) like that. But well done to the team.”

Romanoff has proven to be Jekyll and Hyde in nature as a younger horse, but trainer Pam Gerard expects him to mellow as he matures, and she believes he is an exciting colt with plenty of upside.

“He departed company from the rider a couple of times at the trials, but in saying that his behaviour is generally very good,” she said.

“He’s a very quiet colt, but at the moment as a young and inexperienced horse he just has a switch where he randomly surprises you with something he does.

“Watching the race, he was left in front way too early because he then has the chance to gawk around.

Advertisement

“He has always shown a huge amount of ability and amazingly enough he just keeps copping the campaign despite having done some unnecessary extra work at the trials.

“He’s just natural at the moment and we have no extra gear on him, but there are plenty of things to help if required.

“We thought the overnight trip away to Otaki might be just what he needs, and now he’s won, so mission accomplished. We’ll just see how he does when he comes home before making any immediate plans, but it helps to get some prizemoney if we go towards the Karaka Million.”

Gerard was rapt for his group of owners, particularly Hugh Fletcher, who was celebrating his birthday trackside at Otaki.

“We’ve got lots of good owners in him and they’ve been patient,” she said. “You don’t find many two-year-olds that can take as much as what we’ve chucked at him and he just keeps going away and eating up.

“It’s Hugh’s (Fletcher) birthday today and he went down for the race, so it was a great outcome.”

Romanoff was a $75,000 K1 purchase.

Bred by Marie Leicester out of stake-producing mare Tsarina Belle, Romanoff was purchased by Ballymore Stables, in partnership with bloodstock agents Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman, out of Haunui Farm's 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $75,000.

“He was very strong, athletic, and a beautifully balanced colt when Mike (Moroney) bought him at the sales,” Gerard said.

“It’s a super, super, family, he had a great walk on him, was a real two-year-old type, and bought for a pretty realistic price. Paul (Moroney) buys a type, that’s what they’re looking for and they found what they wanted in this colt." – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Uza Bus 2yo 1100m

Otaki Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:05.86
1
Romanoff
- 2c Belardo (IRE) x Tsarina Belle (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: Ms P Gerard Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57
2
1
Curzon Park
- 2g Ribchester (IRE) x Sunshine Park (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: K A Pertab Rdr: N S Parmar 56
3
2
Fury Of Flight
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Ready To Soar (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W F Pinn 57
4
2.1
Intention
- 2f Bivouac (AUS) x Beela Hudood (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: M P Breslin Rdr: M Hashizume 55
5
2.5
Hello My Dear
- 2f Hello Youmzain (FR) x O'pristine (AUS) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Kevin & Stephen Gray Rdr: K R Hercock 55
6
2.6
Faultless
- 2g Tivaci (AUS) x Without Flaw (NZ) (Sacred Falls (NZ))
Tnr: Peter & Shaun Mckay Rdr: S C Spratt 57
7
3.1
Luminance
- 2f Time Test (GB) x Brilliant Glow (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: K A Pertab Rdr: Joe Doyle 55
More Reading...
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.