Antonio Lombardo (NZ) Heads NZB Trifecta in Guineas

The Peter McKay trained Antonio Lombardo (NZ) turned the Group 2 DHL Global Hawke's Bay Guineas into a one horse race on Saturday with a superb performance over the 1400 metres.

In a race that boasts a history of producing top horses with past winners including Jimmy Choux, Alamosa and Darci Brahma, Antonio Lombardo (NZ) (Pins x Petit Verdot) added his name to that list with ease on Saturday with Sam Spratt in the saddle.

Not getting to the front until the 900 metre-mark, the well bred colt proved a class above his rivals over the 1400 metres, bringing the field into the straight and maintaining his healthy lead to take the race by one-and-three-quarter-lengths.

The victory sees Antonio Lombardo remain unbeaten as a three-year-old after a devastating win fresh-up in the Listed Challenge Stakes in Ruakaka early last month. The colt now looks to have a strong hold on the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) which will be held on November 25. His next start will be the Group 2 New Zealand Bloodstock Wellington Guineas on October 22.

Bred by Robert Anderson, Cherry Taylor and Trelawney Thoroughbreds, the three-year-old was bought by Peter and Kim McKay from Trelawney Stud at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $120,000. He has now won five of his eleven starts and over $370,000 in stakes.

Running into second by a short head was the Roger James trained Prestigious Miss (Written Tycoon x Mathematical) who came into the race after running third in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes against the fillies. She broke her maiden as a two-year-old and has proven herself a very consistent performer in just six starts. She holds a nomination for the Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas.

Ginner Hart (NZ) (Volksraad x Lyford Cay) took third for Alexander Fieldes and is another three-year-old that has shown a good deal of ability on the track. He came into the Guineas unbeaten in two starts and ran a good race in his black-type debut. He holds a nomination for the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas and the Levin Classic.

(Volksraad x Lyford Cay) took third for Alexander Fieldes and is another three-year-old that has shown a good deal of ability on the track. He came into the Guineas unbeaten in two starts and ran a good race in his black-type debut. He holds a nomination for the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas and the Levin Classic.

The win takes Antonio Lombardo's New Zealand Domestic Rating to 90, and he maintains his clear lead in the Karaka 3YO Mile Order of Entry with Fort Lincoln and Ginner Hart both sharing a rating of 80. To view the Karaka 3YO Mile Order of Entry click here.