Malandrino Looks Something Special

Talented three-year-old Malandrino (NZ) hinted at bigger things on Saturday with a brilliant performance at Awapuni in the $70,000 Group 3 Higgins Manawatu Classic (2000m).

Trained by Murray Baker, Malandrino (Darci Brahma x Staryn Glenn) could not have been more impressive with jockey James McDonald aboard, racing handy during the trip and tearing away from his rivals to win his first stakes race by two-and-a-half-lengths.

McDonald declared after the race that Malandrino was "something special and will go right to the top."

In just a short career, the three-year-old ran fifth in the Listed Championship Stakes Prelude (2100m) in December last year before being given a break from the track. He made a winning return, beating the older horses with 59 kilograms, at Waipa on March 13 at his last start.

Plans for the three-year-old are yet to be confirmed but a late entry to the Group 1 AJC Derby has not been ruled out. The Group 1 South-Australian Derby is also on the cards.

Bred and sold by Graham & Helen-Gaye Bax, Malandrino is raced by JML Bloodstock Ltd and was purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock from Blandford Lodge at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $95,000. His seven starts have netted three wins and two placings for over $55,000 in stakes.

Malandrino is the fourth stakes winner for his sire Darci Brahma whose progeny had an excellent weekend on the track with Super Easy winning the Sgp-3 3YO Sprint in Singapore. Darci Brahma sired his first Group 1 winner two weeks ago with Artistic winning the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.

Darci Brahma currently heads the New Zealand Sires' Premiership by 3YO winners with 17, three clear of O'Reilly on 14.