Finiguerra credited his sire Niello with his first stakes winner when he scored a dashing win in Saturday’s listed Port Adelaide Cup (2004m) at Morphettville.

In front of a big crowd, Finiguerra led home a quinella result for Telopea Downs based trainer Darryl Dodson – beating stablemate Texan Warney by two and a half lengths.

Finiguerra has always been held in high regard by the astute western Victorian horseman and the win was a deserved first at black type level.

“That was really good,” Dodson said. “The horse has always shown us good ability and today he produced it.”

“He was caught a bit wide on the first turn but he kept on going and got into a nice position and he seemed to settle well.”

Connections aren’t sure where and when Finiguerra would be racing next.

“We’ll go home and have a think about it and see where we go from here,” Dodson added.

Dodson took a shine to Finiguerra when he was offered by Mill Park at the 2008 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale and he went to $35,000 to buy him at the top producing auction. He’s already won almost $200,000.
 
The win was the second leg of a winning treble for star Melbourne based jockey Dwayne Dunn.

“When he came around the corner he put in the big strides,” Dunn said. “He got a lot of confidence off of that and was very strong to the line.”

“He’s a horse with plenty of talent and I’m glad he delivered today,” the SA born and bred hoop added.

Finiguerra is the first stakes winner for Lonhro’s Group One winning brother Niello.

A winner of the Spring Champion Stakes, the son of Octagonal won four races before being retired to stud.

While Finiguerra is his first stakes winners – his other highly talented runners include the likes of Ipioga, Sparks Burn and Alchemy’s Eight.

Winner: Finiguerra
Breeding: Niello-Gold Choice (Final Card)
Race: SAJC Port Adelaide Cup LR (2500m)
Sold for: $35,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Darryl Dodson
Earnings: $199,688
Owner(s): JB O’Rourke, SJ O’Rourke & RJ Wilson
Trainer: Darryl Dodson (Telopea Downs)