Cinturato Scintillating

Backed as unbeatable ($1.30), Cinturato (3 g Shamus Award – Pirellina, by Gio Ponti) stylishly won the A$60,000 Ladbrokes Hosted Pots Plate Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 13 February at Cranbourne (Melbourne).

His win started a magic 12 hours which saw the stable win five races, two in Victoria and three in New Zealand, including two stakes' races.

Cinturato had quickened clear after leading to win a jump out on 19 January at Cranbourne, with Lachlan Neindorf aboard, and the pair emulated the performance to affect the same outcome in the fresh-up run. 

Beginning well to lead, it appeared Cinturato would control a soft tempo, but Sonic Belle (Written Tycoon) went up to inject more speed to the 800m, matched by the favourite, and after turning for the short run (300m) home he raced clear to win easing down by two and a half lengths. 

On Good4 footing, Cinturato ran 1400 metres in 1:24.7, last 600m in 35.6. 

An easy jump out winner in August at Cranbourne, Cinturato ran on well for third on debut, spelled following a solid effort for sixth in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), and confidence was high for his resumption. 

“It was great to get a fresh-up win with Cinturato for OTI and their team of owners, in colours that are well recognised throughout Australasian racing,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“OTI are great supporters of the stable and it’s terrific to have another promising winner for them. He’s still a big, green, horse, but he really has untapped potential and we’ve been very patient with him.

“We gave him a spell after he showed his talent early in the season and I think we’ll now start to see the benefits of a patient approach, heading into the autumn and then as a four and five-year-old when he fully matures into his frame. 

“I’m excited about his future and he’s got some really good attributes to help him get through the grades.”

Cinturato is by Australian Champion Three-Year-Old Shamus Award (Snitzel), the first three-year-old to win the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) double, and is the sire of Te Akau trained dual Group One winner Quintessa.

His dam Pirellina is a daughter of US Champion and seven-time Grade One winner Gio Ponti, by elite stakes' producing sire Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat).

Pirellina won twice over 1600 metres, and is in turn out of Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) winner Cinque Cento (Nothin’ Leica Dane), and the breeding suggests Cinturato may in time appreciate further. 

In addition to winning the Doomben Cup, Cinque Cento also won the Group 2 Queen of the South (1600m) and Group 3 Doomben Roses (2020m). 

Purchased by OTI for A$100,000 at the 2024 Inglis Ready2Run Sale, from the draft of Prima Park (Matamata), Cinturato is owned by O T I Racing, Te Akau Cinturato Racing Partnership, Mr L P Condon, Mr T Chan, Mr J R Lundberg, Mr J F O'Flynn, Mr D E Hammer, Mr M Iacobucci, Mr B A Quinn, Mrs K Peart, Butter Wheel, Mr G B Ward, Mr W Peart, Beartown No. 28, Mr D Cicciarelli, Mrs G J Donnelley, Mrs C Quadrino, Lifestylin 1, Webbmck Racing, IG 18.

Cintuarato is the second foal of Pirellina, while the first, Cinque Ponte (Toronado), is a dual winner over 1400 metres.

Cinturato was strapped by Tamlyn Loria.

Main picture - Cinturato as a 2YO