The juvenile maiden event at Canterbury on Friday night was
supposed to be an easy target for the much hyped expensive Zoustar filly Just
Zerene, but she had to settle for second after being run down by the
half-brother to Group I ATC Spring champion Stakes winner Maid of Heaven.
Just Zerene was in front coming to the post, but the Richard Litt trained
Castelvecchio unleashed a sizzling finish to zoom home from last and collar the
filly, winning by a neck.
Second and fifth at his only previous trials, the son of Dundeel was unwanted
by punters easing from $41 to $61, but will be starting a lot shorter price the
next time we see him!
A $150,00 Inglis Classic purchase for Galletta Constructions from the Arrowfield
Stud draft, Castelvecchio is the fifth winner from Dehere’s Group I placed
Group III winning daughter St Therese, who is the dam of not only Group I winner
Maid of Heaven but also Group III winner Mirrasolo. She is also the grand-dam
of stakes-winners Precious Memories and Hussy By Choice.
21 year-old St Therese has a yearling colt by Panzer Division and was covered
by him again last spring.
Castelvecchio looks a bright prospect for Dundeel, who has a growing number of
promising winners set to put his name in lights in 2019.