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New Zealand import Trosettee collected a long-overdue first Australian victory with a come-from-behind win in Saturday’s A$130,000 Ladbroke It! Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
The Jimmy Choux gelding was a five-time winner from 12 starts in New Zealand for his Opaki owner-trainer Grant Nicholson. The most recent of those victories was the Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera in October of 2021.
Nicholson then sent him to Victoria to join the stable of Patrick Payne. Although he went winless in his first 11 races on that side of the Tasman, he collected two seconds, two thirds, three fourths and a fifth.
Saturday was finally his day, producing an irresistible finish from fifth-last in the hands of jockey Billy Egan.
"It's very pleasing," Egan said. "He's been such a consistent horse since coming across and joining the stable, so I'm really happy.
"It played out as an absolutely perfect scenario for him today. I just made sure I was able to get out, creep up and stay within striking distance, and he's won very well.
"Wherever you take him, he's always knocking on the door. This was the right race for him and it was his day."
Trosettee 's 24-start career has produced six wins, five placings and A$224,698.
"I thought he saddled up really well here today and looked great," Payne's sister Michelle said. "It was a really good ride by Billy Egan and it's great to see him get home.
"The owners have been really patient. Obviously he hasn't won for a while, but it's good for him to get the win today."
Trosettee was bred by Nearco Stud and is out of the Pentire mare Tin Goose, who won four races and finished third in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m).
Tin Goose is the dam of five winners from seven foals to race, including the Gr.3 Rotorua Cup (2200m) placegetter Voler Pour Moi.
Trosettee was offered by Bradbury Park in Book 2 of Karaka 2018, where Nicholson bought him for only $5,000.