Group 1 Glory Complements Soriano

Perennial bridesmaid Soriano (NZ) (Savabeel) was victorious in brilliant fashion in the Group 1 $200,000 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie Racecourse yesterday.

Soriano (NZ) races into Group 1 Glory in the Zabeel Classic. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

A three-quarter-brother by Savabeel to Soriano is entered in the 2015 Karaka Select Sale at Lot 488 from Phoenix Park.

Trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, Soriano is a seasoned stakes runner now with a Group 1 victory to complement her collection of achievements.

Soriano has been a consistent placegetter in stakes races this season winning the Listed Rotorua Plate and finishing third in two Group 1 races with a total of four Group 1 placing’s throughout her career.

“She deserves this and it’s just great for the whole team,” comments Graeme Rogerson. “She’s a great mare and she’s by a great stallion.

“She’s very valuable and when she goes to stud it will hopefully be after she wins the Triple Crown at Hastings next year.”

Starting from barrier 8 in the Zabeel Classic, Soriano was ridden by apprentice rider Rory Hutchings in the 14-horse field. Approaching the 1000m she was 8 lengths behind the leader as she was last in the field.

Turning for home Hutchings saw his opportunity and went wide. Soriano displayed an impressive turn of foot as she stormed to the lead and claimed Group 1 victory by one-length.

An outstanding performance by Karaka graduates resulted in a Karaka trifecta as Weregoingtogetcha (Testa Rossa) took second place and Pondarosa Miss (NZ) (High Chaparral) finished third respectively.

The five-year-old was offered at the 2011 Karaka Premier Sale by Dormello Stud and has now earned $515,287 in prizemoney with six wins from her 38 starts.

Bred by Miss D Howell, Soriano is out of stakes-winning mare Call Me Lily (Just a Dancer) and is a half-sister to Affairoftheheart (Fusaichi Pegasus) who placed in the Listed Karaka Classic.