Proisir Filly Legarto wins G2 Eight Carat

Media Release - Monday December 26

Class three-year-old filly Legarto maintained her unbeaten record with a stunning performance to win the Gr.2 ATR Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe after most punters had written off her winning chances in the home straight.

Legarto completes an amazing victory in the Gr.2 ATR Eight Carat Classic (1600m) Photo Credit: Kristin Ledington

Sent out at the cramped odds of $1.10 in her first start since delivering an elite level victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last month, the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained runner settled near the back of the field as front-runner Wessex set up a solid pace.

With most riders keeping a wary eye on Legarto, Wessex and rider Craig Zackey increased their margin to be more than ten lengths clear as they rounded the home bend.

Ryan Elliot aboard Legarto had begun to move forward at that stage but was still well in arrears as Wessex went for gold at the 300m.

Advertisement

Inch by inch Legarto clawed back the ground on both Wessex and the hard chasing Skew Whiff and within the shadows of the post the Proisir filly sailed past the pair to register her fifth win from just five starts.

Ken Kelso admitted he had all but given away the winning chances of his charge when he saw how much ground she had to make up in the home straight.

“There were a lot of anxious moments as I didn’t think we could pick that horse up,” Kelso said.

“I had pretty much given it away, but she is something special, very smart and just has that will to win.”

While keen to add further black type to the filly’s record, Kelso was also using the race as a chance for Legarto to familiarise herself with surroundings before tackling the NZ $1million Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at the venue next month.

“She had a good look around and that was part of the exercise today,” he said.

“I couldn’t be happier with her although you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t get nervous before a race like this.

“I’m now just very relieved.”

Elliot was left looking for superlatives after the race.

“We actually got the perfect run of the race, on the back of the second favourite and rolling into it nicely,” he said.

“That one in front gave us something to run down and my filly just kept giving.

“Every time I asked her, she kept finding lengths and she gave me an unbelievable feel.

“The scary thing is she is starting to get better and better in her trackwork and it is starting to show out on the track now.”

A $90,000 purchase for Phillip Brown of Ancroft Stud from Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2021, Legarto is raced by many of the same connections as the multiple Group 1-winning mare Levante, including former Waikato Racing Club chief executive Tony Enting.

Bred by Bay of Plenty farmer Warwick Jeffries, Legarto is out of Towkay mare Geordie Girl and has now won all five of her raceday starts for just over $389,000 in prizemoney.

TAB Bookmakers have her at the head of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic Fixed Odds market at a $1.60 quote. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Atr Eight Carat Classic Gr2 1600m

Pukekohe Park Track: Good(3) Time: 1:34.7
1
Legarto
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Geordie Girl (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: R T Elliot 56.5
2
1.3
Skew Wiff
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Starvoia (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
3
1.4
Wessex
- 3f Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Trepidation (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C Zackey 56.5
4
5.4
Val Di Zoldo
- 3f War Decree (USA) x Civetta (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: M J Mc Nab 56.5
5
6.9
Shez Class
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Mill Duckie (NZ) (Magic Ring (IRE))
Tnr: Ms J K Mahoney Rdr: K Asano 56.5
6
7.1
Sassyness
- 3f Sacred Falls (NZ) x Pleased (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
7
7.5
Kaidu's Pride
- 3f Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Altesino (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: R P Liefting Rdr: L H Satherley 56.5
8
7.8
Bella Tivaci
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x Novelty (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: N P Bishara Rdr: S R Weatherley 56.5
9
8.8
Nana's Wish
- 3f Belardo (IRE) x Third Choice (NZ) (Kashani (USA))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: W B Kennedy 56.5
10
16.9
Just A Karin
- 3f Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Maleficent (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: A J Morley Rdr: T D Thornton 56.5
11
18.9
Librarsi
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Tennessee Love (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: K L Hannan 56.5
More Reading...
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Legarto a class above in Aotearoa Classic Preview at New Look Ellerslie
Two Group Ones at Trentham and the eagerly anticipated reopening of Ellerslie provided plenty of potential highlights across a blockbuster weekend of racing, but top-class mare Legarto towered above all other talking points with a commanding performance in Sunday’s Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview (1400m).
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Star Proisir Mare Legarto Wins G1 Herbie Dyke
Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have long believed Legarto had the potential to excel over 2000m, and their stable star proved them right on Saturday with a sparkling performance in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.