There were tears and cheers after promising Pride of Dubai two year-old filly Forzanini broke the ice for her first win at Randwick on Wednesday.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Forzanini was luckless at her three previous starts when not beaten far and under a clever ride from Sam Clipperton was able to charge through along the inside to score a long head win in the 1100m juvenile fillies maiden.
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“She’s had no luck at all in her races and also done a few things wrong, but it was a good experience for her today,” said Paul Snowden.
“She’ll take a lot of confidence from that going forward.”
Forzanini is a homebred for Torryburn Stud, whose ownership is shared by her namesake Nini Vascotto, who has been battling cancer for the past 11 years. Her journey has been shared on social media and Nini has become an inspiration to many.
Forzanini has been named in her honour by Torryburn Stud’s John Cornish, and the filly provided her with a much-needed boost with her first win.
“I am over the moon, it couldn‘t have come at a better time,” Vascotto told Racenet.
“It’s a very special win more so because of my connection with the horse.
“Her mother was called Fornini and that was named after me by the Cornish family and the late Pam Cornish left me a share in this filly.
“She also had cancer and we had a very strong friendship and connection because of that so this is a very special win.”
Forzanini is the third winner from Fornini, an unraced half-sister by Stravinsky (USA) to stakes-winner Presently from the family of Group II winner Serena Miss.
Fornini is now back in foal again to Pride of Dubai, who has sired 43 winner this season and stands at at Coolmore a fee of $22,000.