Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Double Pi digs deep to claim success at Sandown
It was an action packed finish to the opening race at Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday, and it was the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained 3-year-old filly Double Pi (Pierata) who had her head in front when it mattered most.
The well-related daughter of Pierata had shown promise as a spring 3-year-old, including a third placing at Moe. After a spell, she signalled she had returned in good order with two jump out wins this preparation at Traralgon and Pakenham.
In the run, the Chris Waller-trained Rock Them Jools (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) rolled forward to set a muddling tempo into a strong headwind. Double Pi travelled outside the leader, while Ten Warriors (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) enjoyed a soft trail behind them. Meanwhile, race favourite Aliano (Toronado {Ire}) was trapped three wide without cover throughout.
Once they straightened, aided this time by a strong tailwind, Double Pi surged to the lead under in-form jockey Ben Melham and looked to have the race in her keeping at the 100-metre mark. However, the closers were charging, Ten Warriors finished strongly to grab second, while Melbourne Magic (Overshare) flew home out wide for third, and may well have won with another stride or two.
Managing owner Wylie Dalziel was very pleased with the win and explained the origins of the naming.
Wylie Dalziel | Image courtesy of Dalziel Racing
“One of the owners named her, it’s actually pronounced Double 'Pie', as in eat the pie, as she is by Pierata, and out of Pindara, so the P is doubled up.” Dalziel said.
“She was a nice little purchase from Melbourne Premier, we picked five at that Melbourne sales that year, and we got her for $50,000, the same price and sale as we got Boogie Dancer for a couple years earlier and she became a Group 2 winner.
“One of the owners named her (Double Pi), it’s actually pronounced Double 'Pie', as in eat the pie, as she is by Pierata, and out of Pindara, so the P is doubled up.” - Wylie Dalziel
“We have some really good owners in her, some good mates from Ballarat, Julie Barnes from South Australia, Mick and Jenny Webb from South Australia, and some other good owners that have been with me for a while, for a few of them it was their first city winner.
“She has always shown good ability, but just needed to strengthen up, but it looks like she might be worth the wait.
“She (Double Pi) has always shown good ability, but just needed to strengthen up, but it looks like she might be worth the wait.” - Wylie Dalziel
“Mood’s (Peter Moody) was quite bullish today, but we were respectful that it looked a good quality race with some good jump out form. We love buying fillies that look bargains and fall through the cracks a bit, she looks like she may be a nice Summer/Autumn horse for us.”
Double Pi is the second live foal out of Pindara (Star Witness), a four-time winner who boasts a strong pedigree. She is a half-sister to some talented gallopers including Liesele (Exceed And Excel), a nine-time winner including the Listed Alinghi Stakes, Loved Up (Nicconi), who won the R. Listed Inglis Guineas among her six victories, and Parmalove (Snitzel), a dual winner who has gone on to produce the outstanding Velocious (Written Tycoon).
That filly was a six-time winner, including the G1 Sistema Stakes, R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO, and Listed Counties Challenge Stakes. Notably, Velocious is set to be offered through the Inglis Digital Online platform later this month.
Double Pi as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Double Pi was initially purchased by ACM Bloodstock from the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale for $40,000, before being secured by Dalziel Bloodstock and Peter Moody Racing from the Springmount draft at the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $50,000.
Since producing Double Pi, Pindara has foaled a yearling filly by Hanseatic, a weanling colt by Bruckner, and is due to foal to that stallion again in October this spring.
Infusion injects instant class on debut
The connections of the Peter Snowden-trained Infusion (I Am Invincible) have been patient, but the wait might well be worth it. The expensive yearling purchase impressed with a winning debut, and has the pedigree to progress further.
Ridden by jockey Tom Sherry, Infusion settled just outside the pacemaker Writego (Zoustar), and travelled comfortably throughout the race. Maquisa (Extreme Choice) settled in the trail, while favourite Miss Jones (Deep Field) was positioned well back on the inside.
Sherry rode a canny race, moving into the straight strongly but holding off on pressing the button too soon. He was able to keep Tommy Berry on Maquisa locked up on the inside. When he finally asked for an effort, Infusion kicked strongly and burst to the lead. Maquisa surged home once clear, running an unlucky second, while Writego held third narrowly from Miss Jones, who made good late ground.
The connections of the unlucky Chris Waller-trained Maquisa lodged a protest, but it was dismissed. Meanwhile, the S F Bloodstock bred, and Newgate Farm raised Infusion kept the chocolates on debut.
Infusion winning the Handicap at Canterbury | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Infusion is the fourth foal out of Istanford (USA) (Istan {USA}), a talented mare who won at Group 2 and Group 3 level in the United States. She has made a strong start to her breeding career, producing four foals to race for four winners, including Tonneofgrit (Winning Rupert), a four-time winner who was placed in the Listed Oaklands Plate as a juvenile.
Infusion was purchased for $850,000 by Snowden Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA), from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Infusion as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Since producing Infusion, Istanford has foaled a 2-year-old filly named Is Extreme (Extreme Choice), a yearling filly named Extremely Chic (Extreme Choice) who was purchased for $580,000 by Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Newgate Farm draft at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She has also left a weanling filly by Extreme Choice, and was left empty in 2024, so will be ready for an early service this spring.
All under control for Signor Tortoni
It may have only been a four-horse field that the dominant favourite Signor Tortoni (Too Darn Hot {GB}) faced, but he got the job done, albeit narrowly. Coming off a strong win by nearly four lengths at Gosford, the Ron Quinton-trained gelding looked very hard to beat on paper ahead of the race and deserved that favouritism.
The well-bred filly Kilonova (Zoustar) was quickly into stride and Rory Hutchings rode a smart tactical race from the front, Jason Collett settled Signor Tortoni right outside the leader, with Moonlight Dream (Zoustar) tracking the pair and Superhero (Deep Field) sitting one off the fence.
Video: Watch race replay of Signor Tortoni, video courtesy of Racing NSW
As often occurs in small fields, the race unfolded in a relatively straightforward manner. When Kilonova gave a solid kick at the top of the straight, it briefly looked as though Signor Tortoni might be in trouble. However, the big gelding loomed up late and proved too strong, edging out the much smaller Zoustar filly. Moonlight Dream made nice late ground to finish third, just under two lengths behind the runner-up.
Trainer Ron Quinton admitted to feeling the pressure post-race.
“I was very relieved, very relieved, thank god for Jason Collett on him as he knows where that winning post is.”
“I was very relieved, very relieved, thank god for Jason Collett on him as he knows where that winning post is.” - Ron Quinton
As for where to next, Quinton simply said: “No, we will just find the easiest race possible.”
Jockey Jason Collett, when asked about having to earn the win, commented:
Signor Tortoni winning the Bm64 at Canterbury | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“He did, he was quick away the Waller runner (Kilonova), but I was happy with the rhythm I was in, I always felt like I had them covered, but when I asked him he sort of half put his head on the side a bit, once I put the stick to the left, and gave a few there, he responded and was good through the line.
“He is a big boy, and he is still a big boy mentally, out in front he is too busy shying at stuff, he may want a hood on in time, but he is a bold type, so it’s about harnessing it at the present and going from there.”
“He (Signor Tortoni) is a big boy, and he is still a big boy mentally, out in front he is too busy shying at stuff, he may want a hood on in time, but he is a bold type.” - Jason Collett
Signor Tortoni is the sixth live foal from the Strategic mare Tortoni, who was a winner over 1000 metres. She has proven to be a very handy broodmare, having produced five winners including the Group winners Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), and Wings Of Song (Mendelssohn {USA}), as well as the Group-placed Jenny Jerome (Churchill {Ire}).
Signor Tortoni and Jason Collett after winning the Bm64 at Canterbury | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Tortoni is very well-related, being a half-sister to the 13-time Group 1-winning superstar Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}), and a daughter of Whisked (Whiskey Road {USA}), herself a Group 1 winner. Cherry Tortoni wears the same famous colours and races for similar connections, who are enjoying a strong run of form, having celebrated Listed success with Buccleuch (Peltzer) last weekend at Flemington.
Since producing Signor Tortoni, Tortoni has left a yearling filly by St Mark's Basilica (Fr), and a weanling colt by Churchill (Ire).
