3 minute read

Any pre-race concern about Ugo Foscolo mastering 1600 metres proved unfounded at Riccarton where he turned in a classic front-running display.

The tenacious son of Zacinto produced a dominant performance to trump his rivals in the Gr.1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas on Saturday.

“He was very brave and there may have been a doubt about the mile, but we had him very fit and he ran it out,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.

Under regular rider Michael Coleman, Ugo Foscolo travelled strongly in front and he hit top gear 300 metres from home to surge clear.

“I said to Michael to go forward, that’s the way to ride him,” Marsh said. “He got the job done and I’m very proud of him.

“It’s been a big team effort from my staff - Troy Harris rides him in all his work and my foreman Rhys Mildon has also gone a great job.”

Ugo Foscolo also completed notable doubles for Harris, who won the Guineas aboard Tell A Tale in 2008, and owner Lib Petagna, who was successful in 2013 with Atlante.

“I just needed him to begin well and the inside gate helped us,” Coleman said. “Once we were in front he rated nicely.

“He’s got a really nice cruising speed. He was a bit green around the turn and I was waiting for something to come at us, but he was pretty strong.”

Ugo Foscolo has now won five of his six starts with his only defeat coming in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas at Hastings where he raced erratically before finishing sixth.

The lightly-raced Savile Row ran home well to finish a length and a quarter astern of Ugo Foscolo with Heroic Valour taking third from Cha Siu Bao.

The favourite Mongolian Falcon sat in second spot to the turn before wilting to run sixth, one spot behind his stablemate Wyndspelle.