A 4yo having his 22nd start with earnings close on R5 million prior to Saturday, Pomodoro colt Cirillo went all the way under another well-judged ride by SA Champion apprentice Luke Ferraris to secure his maiden stakes success and give trainer Sean Tarry the Betting World R350 000 Gr2 HawaiI Stakes exacta.
Ferraris is enjoying a royal start to his career under the guidance of the SA champion trainer, and he took clever advantage of a race that always looked to be run in his favour.
Luke Ferraris steers Cirillo to his first stakes win (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
With Buffalo Bill Cody ruining his prospects at the start, Ferraris had Cirillo controlling matters up front, followed by Approach Control and his stablemate Tierra Del Fuego.
Into the straight, Cirillo (5-1) kept up a strong gallop and he had too much in reserve as he drew away to beat Tierra Del Fuego (5-2) by 3,50 lengths in a time of 82,86 secs.
Last year’s winner Zouaves (18-1) came from the clouds to grab third, a length in front of the third Tarry charge Matador Man (13-1).
The favourite Barahin, returning from a break and gelding, never quickened and finished 5,55 lengths off.
This was Cirillo’s first win in over a year and his maiden stakes score. Despite that, he has banked a handsome R5 176 350.
A R300 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, Cirillo has won 5 races with 12 places from 22 starts.
Bred by Riverton Stud, Cirillo is by Pomodoro (Jet Master) – who won the July in the same Chris van Niekerk silks – and is out of the Lake Coniston mare, Miss Wordsmith.
He now heads to the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes. His trainer feels he is going to see the mile out.
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Gr2 Hawaii Stakes (SAf-Gr2)
Turffontein, South Africa, March 7, R350k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.22.86
1 – CIRILLO (SAF), 59.0, b c 4, Pomodoro (SAF) – Miss Wordsworth (SAF) by Lake Coniston (IRE). Owner Mr C J H Van Niekerk; Breeder Riverton Stud; trainer SG Tarry; jockey L J Ferraris
2 – Tierra Del Fuego (SAF), 59.0, b c 4, Skitt Skizzle (SAF) – Night Ritual (SAF) by Fahal (USA)
3 – Zouaves (SAF), 60.0, b g 6, Sail From Seattle (USA) – Zayna (SAF) by Jallad (USA)
Margins: 3.50, 1.25, 0.50
