The racing world turned its attention to Melbourne yesterday for the race that stops
a nation, and it was on this grand stage that Inglewood Stud's young sire
Zacinto produced his first Australian Stakes Winner.
A dominant winner of his last start at Caulfield three weeks ago, exciting
four-year-old Odeon trounced his 16 rivals in the Listed James Boag's Premium
Stakes (1800m), taking his record to six wins from 16 starts with $385,000 in
earnings.
Jumping slowly from an inside gate, Odeon was forced to race against his
preferred pattern finding himself midfield against the rail, but under a
beautiful ride by Chris Symons, he was eased out rounding the turn before hitting
the front 300m out and surging to a smart two length win.
Co-trainer Mathew Ellerton was thrilled with the run.
"He's hitting his straps now he's at his right trip, he was very impressive
today. We'll see how he pulls up, I might back him up Saturday."
And back him up he will, with Odeon accepting for the $2,000,000 G1 Emirates
Stakes this coming Saturday, the feature race on last day of the Melbourne
Spring Carnival.
Bred by Kevin Hickman's Valachi Downs, Odeon will aim to become Zacinto's
second Group One winner following the win of Ugo Foscolo in last year's NZ Two
Thousand Guineas.
Hickman, who shares in the ownership of Zacinto with Inglewood Stud and Windsor
Park Stud, has connections to both horses being a major shareholder in Ugo
Foscolo.
With his oldest just four, Zacinto has already proven he can not only leave a
Group One horse, but plenty of winners. His 40 runners now include 24 winners
(60%) and three stakes winners (7.5%).
News from Inglewood Stud