Three Saturday Wins

On a day that saw three Te Akau wins - including a Group 1 and a Group 3 - the first came with an exciting new addition to the team ...

In training for the China Horse Club and having her first start for Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards, Sasso Corbaro(4 m All Too Hard - Furline, by Tale of the Cat) scored an impressive victory in the $30,000 Otaki Mail Rating 82 1200 metres on Saturday at Otaki.

Slowly away to settle last, Sasso Corbaro appeared to travel effortlessly on the Slow8 footing, standing the leader seven lengths at the 600m, but drawn widest in the straight by rider Opie Bosson she blew past her rivals at the 100m to win easing down by two and a half lengths. 

Solidly supported to start second favourite ($3.70 & $1.50), Sasso Corbaro ran the 1200 metres in 1:12.5 and took her earnings past $200,000.

“It's an honour to be given a horse to train by the China Horse Club, a real privilege,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “And it's a thrill for everybody that its first runner with us won her first start so impressively.”

The winner of four races (1100m - 1300m) in Australia, Sasso Corbaro worked well in an exhibition gallop with Equinox (Exceed and Excel) last Saturday at Ellerslie, and having placed two from two on slow ground was indication to suggest she could handle rain-affected footing. 

“It was a really good win, to miss kick like that and come right down the outside and beat them hands down,” Richards said.

“We're not often sent horses like her to try and gain some black type and we're plotting a course towards stakes' racing, so it's a big thrill for us to have a horse in the stable for the China Horse Club.

“She looks a pretty handy horse. She arrived in terrific order from Kris Lees and she had galloped up well. We're still getting to know her, but her win was very encouraging.”

Richards said Sasso Corbaro would progress on to the Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on New Zealand Oaks Day, 16 March, at Trentham.

Sasso Corbaro was strapped by Teina Walters. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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