Trainer Daniel Pearce has his unbeaten three year-old Testamezzo right on track for the G2 Western Australian Guineas next month.

The Testa Rossa gelding won at Pinjarra and Belmont during a short autumn campaign and returned for a brilliant first-up victory in the Stef Mangan Racey Ladies Hcp (1000m) at Belmont last Saturday.

“He’s a special horse,” Pearce claimed.  “We’ve got a big opinion of him and kicking off with a win like that was very pleasing.

Testamezzo raced in the back-half of the field and hit the line strongly over 1000 metres.  “He needed to settle with the WA Guineas in mind,” Pearce said.  “Now we will step him up 1400 metres in the Belgravia Stakes on Saturday week.”

Testamezzo (3g Testa Rossa – Tremezzo by Encosta de Lago) sold for $60,000 at the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions and that will be a bargain price-tag if he wins the $400,000 WA Guineas over 1600 metres at Ascot on November 23.

Bred by Rob and June Harding, Testamezzo is bred to get over ground – his dam broke the 2000m track record at Caulfield in 2007 clocking 2:00.38 seconds.  Tremezzo has a 2yo filly by Testa Rossa that has been retained by the Hardings.

Vinery will stand Testa Rossa for a $27,500 (inc gst) service fee this year.

– Karl Patterson