Karaka Graduate Ugo Foscolo (NZ) Triumphs in Sarten Memorial

It was a case of winning in emphatic style when the super-talented Karaka graduate Ugo Foscolo (NZ) (Zacinto) picked up his second stakes win in the $100,000 Group 2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on Monday.

The $50,000 Select Sale purchase had made a big impression with stylish wins in all of his first three starts, including Te Rapa’s $50,000 Listed Hamilton Vets Equine Stakes (1100m).

On Monday he impressively bet the Hawke’s Bay Guineas winner Mongolian Falcon (Fastnet Rock).

Ugo Foscolo began slowly, but rider Michael Coleman made a bold move forward to take lead 1000 metres from the finish. Challengers lined up to take a shot at Ugo Foscolo in the straight, none more so than Mongolian Falcon, but Ugo Foscolo held them all off and won by a short neck.

Mongolian Falcon was second, owned by the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Group. The Rider Horse Group paid $450,000 for Mongolian Falcon’s full-sister at this year’s Premier Sale.

The third placegetter was Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj), who was bought for $75,000 at the 2015 Select Sale.

Ugo Foscolo’s trainer Stephen Marsh has always rated the gelding highly and was delighted by his return to top form.

“I’m rapt to see him back in the winning groove,” he said.

Regular rider Coleman was similarly impressed with his mount’s performance.

“It was a good, tough win and he needs to be ultra-fit to get the mile, but when they’ve got that much talent they are a good chance to get it,” he said.

Bred by Inglewood Stud, Ugo Foscolo is by their exciting young stallion Zacinto out of the Stravinsky mare Bequests (NZ). Ugo Foscolo is her first foal to race.

Offered at the 2015 Select Sale by Inglewood Stud, Ugo Foscolo was bought for $50,000 by Bruce Perry Bloodstock on behalf of his major client Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock.

Ugo Foscolo is raced by JML Bloodstock in partnership with Tony Muollo, Patrick O’Rourke, Rhoda Phillippo, Todd Bawden and Kevin Hickman.

The gelding has now had five starts for four wins and $110,625 in stakes, which is already more than double his purchase price.