A day of near misses and bright futures for Go Racing
New Zealand-based syndicators Go Racing came desperately close to winning two Group Three races on Everest Day at Royal Randwick in Australia on Saturday.
Etna Rosso was beaten by only 0.2 lengths in the A$500,000 Gr.3 Delta Building Automation St Leger Stakes (2600m) and Lord Penman finished second in the A$1 million Gr.3 Silver Eagle (1300m).
While the runner-up performances would have left many disappointed, Go Racing’s Albert Bosma is feeling optimistic for the future of both runners.
“We had a really exciting day even though we had no winners and we have a lot to look forward to with these horses” he said.
The margin was so narrow in the St Leger that even Zac Lloyd, who rode the winner Travolta, thought that Etna Rosso had won.
Trainer Chris Waller, who was represented by five runners in the race and took the first five placings, described Etna Rosso with one word – brave.
The same word that jockey Kerrin McEvoy used to describe the Irish import.
“He ran great, he’s very brave,” he said. “He was able to get a good spot and I thought he was a winner at the furlong, he just got out-bobbed but it was a great run.”
As of Sunday, Etna Rosso is in 34th position in the order of entry for the A$10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).
“He might get in once horses start withdrawing and he could move up the order of entry on Saturday’s performance,” Bosma said. “We know that he runs two miles, and he’s got nice timing about him, any rain certainly wouldn’t bother him so it’s exciting to have him in contention.”
Go Racing’s other representative in the St Leger Soul Of Spain finished in third position 0.92 lengths behind Etna Rosso.
Bosma confirmed that he will now be spelled following a stellar preparation of five starts for three wins, a second, and Saturday’s third placing.
“He’s had a massive preparation; he will spell now and it’s all in front of him.”
Both horses are testament to Go Racing’s global model, in partnership with Blandford Bloodstock, of sourcing two-year-olds from the breeze up sales to initially run for Joseph O’Brien in the United Kingdom before transferring to Waller in Australia as older horses to target the lucrative prize money on offer.
Before the excitement of the St Leger had worn off, Go Racing were represented by another exciting prospect in Lord Penman, who finished second in the Silver Eagle behind Linebacker, instantly qualifying him for the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick on November 1.
“He ran a good second over a distance well short of his best and it’s exciting to now have a Golden Eagle contender,” Bosma said.
Jockey James McDonald was also happy with the run.
“Super run, he’s building nicely,” he said.
The former NZ-trained son of Contributer has previously won from 1400m to 1500m.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Go Racing’s Little Black Dress finished second in the $175,000 Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie behind her Stephen Marsh-trained stablemate Well Written.
The three-year-old daughter of Snitzel is nominated for both the $600,000 Gr.3 Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas on November 8 and the $700,000 Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ 2000 Guineas on November 15 at Riccarton.
“We’ve got some horses there on the verge of a couple of Group One races in New Zealand and two A$10 million races in Australia,” Bosma said.
Photo: Etna Rosso (outside) is narrowly beaten by Travolta with Go Racing’s other runner Soul Of Spain in third – Bradley Photos.