Season NZ Win 155 - Petrucci Picture Perfect

Win 155 for the season came courtesy of Petrucci (3 f I Am Invincible - Via Napoli, by Fastnet Rock) in the $14,000 Rating 65 1000 metres on 26 March at Tauherenikau.

Up in grade after sprouting wings on debut to win the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres on 15 March at Matamata, trainer Mark Walker spied a suitable 1000-metre race and she travelled and delivered.

Ridden by Warren Kennedy, who won a day earlier aboard stable-mate Aris Aris (Contributer) at Tauranga, Petrucci received cover handy to the pace, presented on straightening, and kept responding to grab victory.

“This is a nice filly going forward,” said commentator Tony Lee. “This was a pressure run for her, but she's got the ability.”

On Soft5 footing, in the race sponsored by L J Hooker & McHattie Realty, Petrucci ran 1000 metres in 57.1 and paid $2.60 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“She's a good progressive filly, obviously effective at 1000 metres, and she'll only get better with a bit more maturity,” said trainer Mark Walker. “It's great to have another winner for Trelawney Stud.”

Owned by Brent & Cherry Taylor and Faith Taylor (Trelawney Stud), Petrucci was purchased for $450,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, with a view to proving herself on the race track before retiring to their high-quality broodmare band. 

Back-to-back wins continued the successful association of Trelawney owned horses trained by Te Akau, including Vamos Bebe (I Am Invincible), Vinevale (Flying Spur), Smashing (Pins), and Pisco Sour (I Am Invincible).

After winning at Matamata, Brent Taylor said: “Andrew Williams (bloodstock agent) picked her out for us, and she's a filly the stable has had a fair bit of time for.

“She had a few hiccups along the way, which is why she's a bit late getting to the races, but I thought she'd trialled particularly well (winning) at Rotorua.”

By Australian Champion Sire I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), currently leading again this season, Petrucci is the first foal from three time winner to 1600 metres Via Napoli, a mare by Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill).

While grand-dam Celebria (Peintre Celebre) has left multiple stakes winners including Group One winner Gathering (Tale of the Cat). It is also the family of The Oaks Stud stallion Niagara (Encosta de Lago). 

“She's by I Am Invincible, out of a top family, so our recipe doesn't vary that much, and Te Akau has two I Am Invincible fillies for us and a Fastnet Rock,” Taylor said. “Most of the I Am Invincible stock does better with time.

Petrucci showed a good amount of stretch in the finish to win at Matamata, and again it was ability to lengthen that got her home.

Nine-time Champion Trainer Mark Walker remains on target to surpass the domestic record (160) set by previous Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards in 2020/21, while a current monthly ratio, taking into account a likely quietening of runners into winter, equates to approximately 200 wins. 

Petrucci was strapped by Ashley Handley. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz