Zacinto (GB) sired his first winner when speedy two year-old Ugo Foscolo scored a three-length victory at Arawa Park on Wednesday.

The Steven Marsh trained debutant started a clear-cut favourite in the Rydges Hotel Rotorua Maiden (1230m) after a couple of catch-weight barrier trial wins last month.  “He will be much better as a three-year-old and his main aim will be the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas,” Marsh said.  “Class takes them a fair way at this level.”

Ugo Foscolo (2g Zacinto – Bequests by Stravinsky) could have one more run in the LR Hamilton Juvenile at Te Rapa next month.  “He has showed us a lot at home,” Marsh added.  “The race at Te Rapa was won by No More Tears last year and he will go there and then spell.”

Ugo Foscolo is part-owned by Wellington businessman Lib Petagna who also races last Saturday’s Group 1 winning pair Lucia Valentina and Sofia Rosa.  He cost $50,000 at the 2015 NZB Select yearling sale last year and is the only foal from Bequests who won three races in Victoria for Pinecliff Racing’s Jonathon Munz.

Bequests was sold to Inglewood Stud’s Gus Wrigley for $17,000 at the 2012 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale and she was bred back to Waikato Stud sire Sacred Salls last year.

Zacinto (Dansili) hails from one of Juddmonte’s finest families.   He’s from a daughter of 1997 English Oaks heroine Reams Of Verse (Nureyev) and was trained by Sir Michael Stoute to score by 8 lengths on debut at Sandown in July 2008.

At three, he developed into a high-class miler, winning the LR Premier Stakes and G2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood.  He also finished second to Rip Van Winkle in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Zacinto is based north of Christchurch at Inglewood Stud and stands for a $5,000 service fee.

ZACINTO