Torranzino (NZ) Takes Easter Cup

A strong staying performance earned Torranzino (NZ) (Tarzino) a career-best win in Saturday’s A$200,000 Group Three Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.

Torranzino was a $75,000 purchase by trainer Paul Preusker from the Phoenix Park draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2021. His 27-start career has produced five wins, seven placings and A$670,090 in stakes – more than nine times his purchase price.

Fourth in the Listed Victoria Gold Cup (2000m) and second in the Wangaratta Cup (2000m) in his two lead-up runs, Torranzino was patiently ridden by Celine Gaudray on Saturday and settled in 10th among a 14-horse field. Front-runner Future History (Showcasing) set a strong pace up to the point of the home turn, ensuring the final 400 metres would be a true test of stamina.

In a line of challengers that fanned out across the Caulfield track, it was Torranzino that came out on top. He surged through two from the outside, staking his claim 100 metres from the finish and digging deep to edge out Foujita San (Maurice) by a nose.

“I was actually very confident, I knew he had a very good chance in this race,” Gaudray said. “The Wangaratta Cup wasn’t run to suit him at all – they went really slow, he ran quite aggressively and it became a sit and sprint.

“It was set up a lot better for him today and I was fortunate to get off the rail at the right time and follow the right horses. I was briefly worried his wheels might spin when they put the pressure on, but everything unfolded really well. Once I put my whip into the right hand, he went to the line really nicely.”

Preusker was represented at Caulfield on Saturday by his partner Holly McKechnie.

“It turned into a real tough 2000 metres, which is his forte,” she said. “We thought he went super in the Wangaratta Cup and he loves Caulfield, he’s got a terrific record here. He just needs the right tempo.”