Written by Kit Gow
Cover image courtesy of Peter Rubery
Otaki took centre stage on Thursday with the running of the G3 Wellington S., won by emerging talent Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci {NZ}), and, earlier in the card, 2-year-old Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) had connections hoping they have Karaka Million gold on their hands.
Cheeky colt puts his hand up for Karaka Million
Described as “cheeky” by his stable, promising young Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) held on for a 1l victory over Curzon Park (Ribchester {Ire}) in the 2-year-old contest at Otaki on Thursday. The juvenile colt debuted three weeks earlier at Waikato and faded from his strong start to finish at the tail of the field. His performance at Otaki was still green but improved enough to pull off victory.
“He (has) parted company from the rider a couple of times at the trials, but in saying that his behaviour is generally very good,” trainer Pam Gerard said. “He’s a very quiet colt, but at the moment, as a young and inexperienced horse, he just has a switch where he randomly surprises you with something he does.
“Watching the race, he was left in front way too early because then he had the chance to gawk around.”
The colt showed a burst of speed out of the turn into the home straight that made him look the sure victory, before he wavered outwards in the straight, but jockey Michael McNab was able to keep him together for the win.
Pam Gerard | Image courtesy of Ballymore
“He was perfect until the last bit,” McNab said. “Although he was doing a little bit (wrong) the whole way up the straight, he was still going forward alright, and I didn’t expect him to stop and duck (out) like that. But well done to the team.”
Gerard added, “He has always shown a huge amount of ability, and amazingly enough he just keeps copping the campaign despite having done some unnecessary extra work at the trials.
“He’s just natural at the moment and we have no extra gear on him, but there are plenty of things to help if required.
“We thought the overnight trip away to Otaki might be just what he needs, and now he’s won, so mission accomplished. We’ll just see how he does when he comes home before making any immediate plans, but it helps to get some prize money if we go towards the Karaka Million.”
“He (Romanoff) has always shown a huge amount of ability... We’ll just see how he does when he comes but it helps to get some prize money if we go towards the Karaka Million.” - Pam Gerard
Bred by Marie Leicester, Romanoff was presented at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale by Haunai Farm, where he was purchased for $75,000 by Ballymore Stables in partnership with Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman. The son of 2020/21 Leading First Season Sire in NZ Belardo (Ire) is the last foal from G1 1000 Guineas placegetter Tsarina Belle (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), making him a half-brother to Listed Wanganui Cup winner La Flora Belle (NZ) (Ifraaj {GB}).
Tsarina Belle is a half-sister to dual Group 2-placed Desert Rain (NZ) (Honor Grades {USA}) and Meleka Belle (NZ) (Ifraaj {GB}), dam of 14-time Group 1 winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), whose first foal Lyrics 'N' Song (Written Tycoon) is trained by Mark Walker at his Cranbourne stable.
Exciting 3-year-old announces his presence in Wellington S.
Joe Doyle and the training duo of Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray continued their fruitful partnership from the weekend, and picked up their second Group 3 victory in less than a week at Otaki on Thursday. Doyle steered 3-year-old Tivaci (NZ) gelding Tuxedo (NZ) to victory in the G3 Wellington S., beating out Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) by 0.2l. He was a winner on debut last month with Doyle also in the saddle, and stepped up to black type level over the mile at his second start.
“We’ve always fancied him as a talent,” co-trainer Ritchie said. “He got it wrong first-up and he was pulling early and got to the front a bit early, but he’s beaten a horse (Withallmyfaith, 2nd on October 30) who has gone out and won two races impressively since, so the form was there.
“We were keen to ride him cold today and we think he’ll end up a nice stayer, he’s got a lot to learn - but jeez, it’s nice winning a Group 3 at your second start.
“He needs experience and obviously the money’s at Ellerslie, but it’s nice to come down here. We were keen not to go there (on Saturday) and hit a firm track too early, and it was a nice step-up here with good give in the ground.
“We’ll head to Ellerslie next, we might give him a week to himself and then pick some races over a bit further.”
“We were keen to ride him (Tuxedo) cold today and we think he’ll end up a nice stayer, he’s got a lot to learn - but jeez, it’s nice winning a Group 3 at your second start.” - Shaune Ritchie
Ritchie indicated the $1.25 million G1 New Zealand Derby on Champions Day in March as a future target for the gelding.
“He’s a big strong horse, he’s got a lovely action about him, and you’d think he’ll get further than a mile for sure. He’s exciting.”
Shaune Ritchie | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Doyle echoed the trainer’s thoughts.
“He’s a gorgeous horse, big, scopey and a good mover, he has everything going for him,” he said. “We had to pick and choose runs today, he was brave where he went, then he chased down the two running up to the line, so well done to Colm and Shaune.
“Once he pulls it all together, I think we really have a proper horse on our hands. As soon as he learns just to relax a little bit, I can put him to sleep and stay in races.
“We could have some fun.”
“Once he (Tuxedo) pulls it all together, I think we really have a proper horse on our hands.” - Joe Doyle
Bred sold by Waikato Stud, Tuxedo was a $70,000 purchase at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for Gi Barnett. He is the first foal from Ball Gown (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), a granddaughter of G2 Matriarch S.-placed Pin Up (NZ) (Pins), dam of G2 Cal Isuzu S. winner and dual Group 1-placed Sports Illustrated (NZ) (Fast ‘n’ Famous). Another granddaughter of Pin Up is Fall For Cindy (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), who was victorious in the G3 Dark Jewel Classic at this year’s Scone Cup Carnival. Ball Gown has a 2-year-old full sister to Tuxedo still to come, as well as a yearling by Super Seth.
