In a driving finish Enzo’s Lad was able to grind down the leader Ferrando and score a historic win by a nose.
Prepared by Michael and Matthew Pitman at Riccarton, Enzo’s Lad has turned into one of the great bargain buys of Australasian yearling sales – the multiple Group One winner costing just $15,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
Despite giving his rivals weight, Enzo’s Lad hit the line strongly under the urgings of jockey Michael McNab.
“Lightning really does strike twice,” part owner Phil Bentley told The Informant. “Hopefully it might even strike three times, back here next January.”
“Racing a horse is bloody fun and everyone should do it. My fellow owners and I have had an incredible day. It’s been a nervous week, waiting for the draws and then waiting for the race to arrive, but it’s all been worth it.
“It’s a shame that Sam Weatherley couldn’t be here to repeat his winning ride from last year, but Michael McNab did a terrific job.”
The win was the second at the elite level for McNab who, after a long wait from the judge, was over the moon to win the feature.
“That’s unbelievable,” McNab told reporters. “They didn’t call it and didn’t call it, and I didn’t want a dead heat.”
“I just threw my gear everywhere! It’s just unreal. What a horse. I was coming down just before he got over the junction and I was just bolting, but then he stumbled a bit.”
“He mustered again really quick and when I got out, I thought ‘here goes the big boy’. I felt like I was going to get past, but I was running out of time. That’s just unreal!”
A winner of seven and eight times placed from just 27 runs, Enzo’s Lad is the fourth Group One winner for former Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Testa Rossa.
He is from the winning Catbird mare Sheerama – a half sister to Group Two winner Patpong and son of the stakes winning and Group One placed mare Rouquin.
Bred on Reavill Farm, Enzo’s Lad was sold on the Gold Coast in 2014 through the draft of Royston Stud.
Winner: Enzo’s Lad
Breeding: Testa Rossa-Sheerama (Catbird)
Race: WRC Telegraph Handicap G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $15,000
Sale: 2014 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Royston Stud
Buyer: PR Stables
Earnings: NZ$392,650
Owner(s): NP Beban, PG Bentley, KN Bradley, SW Grant, J Jacobsen, P Murphy, MR Pitman & I & Mrs L Vibert
Trainer(s): Michael & Matthew Pitman (Riccarton)
