Expressive Halo elevated his credentials as one of South America’s leading stayers by winning the G1 Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini (2400m) on Saturday.

Expressive Halo (4c Halo Sunshine – Embrace Moi by Ride the Rails) took command with a furlong to go before holding off the late charge of Brazilian classic winner Veraneio (Signal Tap) and Kentucky-bred colt Veni Veni (Suave).

“This is the race every jockey in Argentina dreams of winning,” jockey Juan Noriega said at the San Isidro racecourse in Buenos Aires.  “He’s a great horse and still had something left.”

Expressive Halo was bred by Haras Abolengo owner Julio Menditeguy and is trained by Carlos Meza Brunel.  He will be prepared for the G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano at Palermo on March 10.

The winner of South America’s most prestigious event is closely related to Snapy Halo who stands at Cangon Stud in the Hunter Valley.  Another Halo line sire, he won the G1 Gran Premio Estrellas Mile in 1:32.49s.

Breeders’ Cup Fillies & Mares Turf winner Perfect Shirl was due to become the first USA G1 winner to take part in South America’s most prestigious race until an airport delay scuppered the flight.