Group One-winning three-year-old Ugo Foscolo has
thrived during his time off, enjoying a sojourn at picturesque South Coast thoroughbred farm Bell View Park.
The New Zealand-bred and owned son of Zacinto has spelled particularly well and
he will return to the Randwick quarters of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott this
week.
"He's enjoyed a slow build-up with four weeks at Bell View Park Stud and he'll
be back in the stables this week," said part-owner Kevin Hickman's racing
manager Jonathan Scully.
Ugo Foscolo won five of his six starts for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh,
culminating in his Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas victory, before he transferred
to Sydney.
He was unplaced in his Australian debut in the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes on a
rain-affected track and was turned out after he pulled up with back and hind
quarter muscle issues.
"He probably wouldn't have had another run anyway with the heavy tracks
continuing through the autumn," Scully said.
"I was over there last week and saw him and he just looks fantastic. He's
matured and strengthened and he's full of beans."
Scully said they had yet to discuss future targets for the rising
four-year-old.
"Obviously, we will be looking at the Melbourne spring with him and we'll wait
and see whether he has a run or two in Sydney first."
Meanwhile, Hickman enjoyed a winning strike in Queensland with Tessastock, who
was successful at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday from the Trent Busuttin and
Natalie Young stable.
"She won nicely and she might have one more race over there before she comes
home," Scully said.
The Tavistock mare will re-join the Matamata operation of Graham Richardson and
Gavin Parker in her future quest for black type.
Improvement is also tipped to come from the Hickman-raced Jimmy Rea following
his resuming run for seventh at Eagle Farm on the weekend.
"He hadn't run for a long time and he should be going pretty close next time,"
Scully said. – NZ Racing Desk.