Sibling to History-Making Saracino (NZ) at Karaka 2017

A yearling sibling to the history-making three-year-old Saracino (NZ) (Per Incanto) will go under the hammer at Karaka 2017.

Saracino led all the way for a brilliant win in the Group 2 $100,000 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, becoming the first three-year-old to beat older horses in the prestigious weight-for-age race since Great Chevalier in 1984.

Ridden by Lisa Allpress for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and owner-breeder JML Bloodstock, Saracino beat the multiple stakes-winning Karaka graduate No More Tears (NZ) (Darci Brahma) by two and a quarter lengths in a slick time of 1:11.16 on a Dead6 track.

“We always knew he had a lot of ability,” Forsman said. “He’s strengthened up a lot this time in. He’s a real natural galloper and a pleasure to train.”

Saracino is by Little Avondale Stud stallion Per Incanto out of the O’Reilly mare Bella Daniela (NZ). The second dam Coupon (Carnegie) is a half-sister to the former New Zealand Champion 3YO Sir Clive (NZ) (Bigstone) and the Group 3 winner Ascending (NZ) (Bigstone).

Other black type on the pedigree page includes Dancer’s Tale, Dopff, Octapussy, Pussy Willow, Pussy O’Reilly, Valpolicella, Vavasour and Vilanova.

Saracino’s yearling sibling is a Per Incanto filly, nominated for the 2017 National Yearling Sales Series by Blandford Lodge.

Saracino could yet further enhance the pedigree page as he targets a Group 1 feature in Melbourne this spring.

“The Caulfield Guineas is the race the owners are really keen to have a go at,” Forsman said. “We think he’s got that level of ability and it’s worth a shot.”