Testa Rossa Yearlings on Show at Inglis Classic

Media Release - Monday January 21

Testa Rossa raider Enzo's Lad has created history with a second stunning victory in the Telegraph Hcp Group I at Trentham.

Enzo's Lad - RAce Images Peter RuberyThe South Island star won Wellington's premier sprint as a $74 longshot last year and he returned for a repeat result at $33 on Saturday. He's the first back-to-back Telegraph winner since Mr Tiz in 1989-90.

Enzo's Lad (6g Testa Rossa – Sheerama by Catbird) was given the run of the race by Michael McNab and kicked off the dog-leg to collar front-runner Ferrando right on the line. 

"What a horse!" McNab said. "I always felt he was going to get past the leader but we were running out of time. They didn't call who won it and I didn't want a dead heat. It's unreal"

The win sparked jubilant celebrations in the enclosure. "Lightning really does strike twice," co-owner Phil Bentley beamed. "And he might make it three strikes back here next January."

Trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman both stayed closer to home at Gore leaving Michael's wife Diane to saddle Enzo's Lad in the Telegraph. "I wish they were here," she said. "It's a fantastic day for a wonderful bunch of owners with a horse who tries his heart out every time."

Advertisement

Testa RossaA $15,000 graduate of the 2014 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Enzo's Lad has won 7 of his 27 starts for earnings of $392,650. His dam is a half-sister to Schillaci Stakes Gr.2 winner Patpong.

Testa Rossa's Kiwi filly Dreamtesta looked a good thing beaten when runner-up in the Gore Guineas LR earlier on Saturday. She tramped three-wide for the entire trip but raced up to the leaders at the furlong only to be bloused out in the final strides by $51 outsider Air Max.

Now rising 22 and covering limited books at Vinery, Testa Rossa has 6 yearlings entered for the Inglis Classic Sale commencing on Saturday evening, February 9. First to parade is the colt from Joe Pride's Canterbury winner Annabels (Lot 51).

News from Vinery stud

Advertisment
More Reading...
Doubtland 2YO All On Red Smashes Them Again at Ascot
Widden Stud's Doubtland has a potential 2YO topliner in Perth in the shape of exciting WA colt All On Red, who remains undefeated from two starts after another comprehensive Ascot Saturday win.
Sale Cup Winner Adds to Fastnet Rock Super Weekend
It’s been quite the weekend for the late great champion sire Fastnet Rock with a Cox Plate quinella on Saturday and then on Sunday he produced a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding El Rocko captured the $200,000 Listed Sale Cup (1600m).
Wootton Bassett and Camelot 2YO Colts Win Final French Group Ones
The last French Group I races of their flat season were run on Sunday and Aidan O’Brien produced the winners of both the Group I Criterium International (1600m) and Group I Criterium de Saint Cloud (1800m).
Hi Yo Sass Bomb Wins G3 on Sunday
Kim Reid bypassed a Group One in favour of Sunday’s Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham with Hi Yo Sass Bomb, a decision that paid dividends when the mare led from the outset to claim her third stakes success.
Testa Rossa's Enticing Star Keeps Perfect Record Intact
Off the scene for almost four months, the Adam Durrant-trained mare Enticing Star extended her winning sequence to eight when making a successful foray into stakes racing in Saturday’s Listed Birthday Stakes (1200m) at Belmont Park.
Undefeated 3YO King of Light Wins Listed Belgravia
Dan Morton's exciting three year old King Of Light (Earthlight) remains unbeaten in three starts, as the gelding graduated to stakes company with a scintillating first up victory in the Listed Belgravia Stakes on Cox Plate Day at Ascot.
Transatlantic Takes $1million Five Diamonds Prelude
Transatlantic’s lucrative spring carnival continued at Randwick with an arrogant victory in the $1m Five Diamonds Prelude.
Testa Rossa Sprinter Seeking Royal AScot G1 Glory
Michael Pitman’s prayers for a good track at Royal Ascot were answered ahead of the King’s Stand Stakes Group I  tonight.
Yes Yes Yes 3YO Shooting for G2 on Monday
Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025 with her Yes Yes Yes 3YO Affirmative Action..
Cream Rises at Trentham
A half-sister by Hello Youmzain (Fr) to dual Group I winner Mustang Valley, exciting filly Cream Tart is set to line up in one of the major three-year-old races over New Zealand Cup Week following her impressive win in Sunday’s Upper Hutt Car Sales LTD Three-Year-Old (1400m) at Trentham.