Testa Rossa is enjoying a well-earned retirement at Vinery Stud but he’s not done with in the stakes winning department.
Not by a long chalk.
He has sired 65 individual stakes winners to date and 7 of them, including champion sprinter Ortensia, have earned black-type in Perth.
Recently retired Enticing Star was another of his stakes winning mares in the west and the hype surrounding his 4yo daughter This’ll Testya suggests she is also heading in the same direction.
This’ll Testya demoralised a restricted sprint with a front-running, six length victory at Ascot on Saturday. It followed a brilliant four-length debut win at Bunbury last month.
“She did that in a canter!” winning jockey Willie Pike said. “She just wanted to rush it and will be devastating when she learns to settle.”
This’ll Testya was bred and sold by Dawson Stud for $42,000 at the 2017 Perth Magic Millions to a syndicate that includes Mark Nelson and Larry Dwyer. She’s the final foal from Camille’s Girl (Flying Spur) who hails from the family of Sydney Group 2 winners Katima (Silver Shadow Stakes) and Differential (Pago Pago Stakes).
“She’s has been a serial offender at the barriers. That why it’s taken so long to get her to the races,” trainer Adam Durrant explained. “She’s got a motor and that early speed gives you goosebumps!
“I knew the others were in trouble on the corner. She’s pretty special but will need to contain that speed to make a top-grade sprinter.”
Meanwhile, Testa Rossa 3yo filly Chaillot is back in work for an autumn campaign with Ballarat trainer Archie Alexander. She was a last-to-first debut winner at her home track in April and then clicked into gear to claim the Anzac Day Stakes LR at Flemington.
Third home at headquarters was subsequent Caulfield Guineas Gr.1 winner Super Seth.
“We were going to bring her back for the Thousand Guineas but she was kicked in the ribs while out spelling,” Alexander said. “That was the spring gone although having such a long break could be beneficial long-term.
“In hindsight, beating two very good horses fair and square at just her second start proves she’s a proper filly. Hopefully, there’s more black-type in the autumn.”