One to Watch – Canterbury

The juvenile maiden event at Canterbury on Friday night was supposed to be an easy target for the much hyped expensive Zoustar filly Just Zerene, but she had to settle for second after being run down by the half-brother to Group I ATC Spring champion Stakes winner Maid of Heaven.

Just Zerene was in front coming to the post, but the Richard Litt trained Castelvecchio unleashed a sizzling finish to zoom home from last and collar the filly, winning by a neck.

Second and fifth at his only previous trials, the son of Dundeel was unwanted by punters easing from $41 to $61, but will be starting a lot shorter price the next time we see him!

A $150,00 Inglis Classic purchase for Galletta Constructions from the Arrowfield Stud draft, Castelvecchio is the fifth winner from Dehere’s Group I placed Group III winning daughter St Therese, who is the dam of not only Group I winner Maid of Heaven but also Group III winner Mirrasolo. She is also the grand-dam of stakes-winners Precious Memories and Hussy By Choice.

21 year-old St Therese has a yearling colt by Panzer Division and was covered by him again last spring.

Castelvecchio looks a bright prospect for Dundeel, who has a growing number of promising winners set to put his name in lights in 2019.