Talented Pierro gelding Kalino has been working towards winning a stakes race for his big group of Star Thoroughbreds owners and he got the job done at Flemington on Saturday when powering home with a well timed run to take out the $175,000 Listed VRC Sofitel Stakes (1400m).
Kalino storms home to win the Sofitel Stakes - image Grant Courtney
Trained by Chris Waller, Kalino has been very competitive when tried in Group races albeit without placing and got conditions to suit on Saturday. Ridden patiently by Jye McNeil, he settled well with cover back in the field and when unleashed late came with a withering run to grab a half length win, while race favourite Antino got caught in traffic.
Jye McNeil was having his second ride on Kalino and put that past experience to good use.
“I put trust in the instructions from the stable to ride him the way I did, very patient and saving his run for as late as possible and trusted he could sprint, which he did really well today,” said McNeil.
“I learned a lot from riding him at Caufield and it transpired into a really good result today.”
Kalino is a new SW for Pierro - image Grant Courtney
A $210,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Tyreel Stud draft for Star Thoroughbreds / Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA), Kalino has seven wins and four placings from 22 starts and prizemoney just topping $650,000.
He was bred by Bill and Chris Lovatt and is the best of two winners three foals to race from I Am Invincible mare Lanikai. A half-sister to stakes-placed Peace Not War, Lanikai comes from the family of Group I winners River Dove and Crown Prosecutor as well as Group II winner and promising young sire Headwater.
Lanikai has a two year-old filly by Yes Yes that was consigned by Tyreel Stud and sold for $300,000 to BK Racing at Magic Millions. Trained by Brad Widdup and named Maili, she is entered for the official barrier trials in Sydney on Monday. Lanikai produced a filly foal again by Yes Yes Yes last month.
Pierro, click for more info and a Hypo mating. 
Kalino is the 35th stakes-winner for Coolmore based champion sire Pierro and his first of the new season.
