The Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained Regalo Di Gaetano has been the standout performer for the lightly used Redoute’s Choice stallion Supreme Class who died in 2020.
With three Listed stakes wins to his credit, Regalo Di Gaetano scaled new heights in Saturday’s Group III Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield.
With Zac Spain in the saddle, the 6yo gelding kept up a strong gallop to defeat Bonvicini (Myboycharlie) by a long-neck with Starelle (More Than Ready) a halg-neck back in third.
It made it three stakes wins on the bounce for Regalo Di Gaetano, following the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville and the Listed Murray Bridge Cup.
Carrying the green, white and red colours of the Italian flag, Regalo Di Gaetano advanced his record to eleven wins, one second and three thirds with earnings of $591,970.
Zac Spain said the Eclipse Stakes was not the original option for Regalo Di Gaetano.
“He was going to run in the Ballarat Cup, but it was going to be too wet for him. They decided to hold off and found the right race today,” Spain said.
“He’s just a winner. He knows where that winning post is even though he had a shy at it. He’s a lovely big strong horse and put himself in a lovely spot.
“He relaxed nice underneath me, and was never going to get beaten today.
“I knew that there was one horse (Bonvicini) coming, and to his credit, he dug deep. He’s a winner.
“Credit to Richard and Chantelle, they do a great job in Adelaide. Whenever they bring their horses to Melbourne, they’re competitive. I’m glad I could be on his back today.”
From the largest crop of 33 live foals by the Hong Kong performer Supreme Class (fourth in the Hong Kong Mile), Regalo Di Gaetano is the lone winner from three foals out of the winning Regal Shot mare Regalina who was dropped from the Stud Book last year.