Ferrando colt leaves lasting impression

[Wandering Eyes]

El Vaquero (NZ) (Ferrando) made such an early impression on Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman that he didn’t hesitate to purchase the colt’s sister at Karaka earlier this year.

The handsome son of Ferrando has justified his handler’s opinion with sharp improvement on an unplaced debut with a top effort for a last start second.

El Vaquero was caught wide at Wingatui from the outside gate and fought gallantly to the post and will bid to go one better in the Bain McCall Memorial 2YO (1000m) on his home course on Saturday.

While co-trainer Pitman is more than happy with his charge, he acknowledged the task his youngster would face in trying to turn the tables on Te Akau representative Cool Aza Rene.

“He probably should have won last start and under the conditions of two-year-old racing in New Zealand, the winner still gets in really well at the weights being a filly, so it will be tough,” he said.

Three-time winner Cool Aza Rene will concede El Vaquero half a-kilo and her 57kg book weight will be further reduced by the 3kg claim of apprentice Hayley Hassman.

“My bloke is a lovely horse and he will probably be better on top of the ground, but he did seem to get away with it the other day,” Pitman said.

“He is such a nice colt that I went and bought his sister at the yearling sale.”

Pitman secured the filly for $45,000 out of Apex Bloodstock’s draft while the stable will also have older brother and winner Giussepe Ferrante in Saturday’s Janet Francis Handicap (1000m).

“He’s a nice horse, but the two-year-old is a magnificent looking colt,” he said.

Pitman and son Matthew will also have a decent hand in the Greenwood Amberley Cup (1400m) with Makabar and Charbano in contention.

“Makabar will be the better of the two, given his record on wet tracks at Riccarton,” he said.

“The 1400m isn’t his go really, but he has won over the distance before and is in good order.

“He went a good race (for second) the other day, he went up to win and the other horse (Express Coup) kept kicking back.”

Stablemate Express Coup will attempt to make it two on the bounce when she steps out in the Glenys & Rod Gard’ner Handicap (1200m).

“She will drop back from winning an open race to a Rating 75, so she gets in well,” Pitman said.

The highly regarded Ocean Light, who has won two of his last three starts, will take aim at the Drug Alcohol Testing Specialists Handicap (1600m).

“I think he’s an open class horse in waiting, he’s been freshened up and will go for this race and then possibly back to the poly for an open race,” Pitman said.

“Of the others, Tomyturbo is racing well and dropping back to Rating 65 and Interlagos was very impressive last start, so we’ve got a few chances.”
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Amberley Patrons Handicap (2000m) Tomyturbo has consecutive third placings to his credit while Optimise Fertilisers & Equi-Lise Handicap (1400m) hope Interlagos cleared maiden ranks in style at Wingatui.

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