Group 3 Win for Karaka Graduate Ferrando (NZ)

Speedy Karaka graduate Ferrando (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous) earned himself the chance to take on some of Australia’s best with a strong win in Saturday’s $70,000 Group 3 Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Ridden by apprentice jockey Ryan Elliott for trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, the colt burst out of the starting gates and took a lead that he never relinquished. He kicked strongly down the straight and held on for a convincing win by half a length.

Ferrando has now had six starts for four wins, earning $77,000 in stakes.

“I’ve had a lot of very good sprinters and he’s right up there with the best of them,” Graeme Rogerson said. “He’ll go to Sydney for the three-year-old race (A$600,000 Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m)) and then he could run in a race like the Stradbroke. He’s got the makings of a very good horse.”

Ferrando was bred by Mrs E A Cowell and Killarney Bay Bloodstock Ltd. He was offered by Archer Park at the 2015 Festival Sale, where he failed to meet his $30,000 reserve. He returned to Karaka later that year for the Ready to Run Sale, offered by Ohukia Lodge and bought by NZB as agent for $40,000.