Pins Colt Strolls Home In Guineas

Crack colt Antonio Lombardo was an effortless winner at his three-year-old debut and the high-class son of Pins was again untested to add the Gr 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas to his impressive record. He was made to work early in the race to get to the front but once there, dictated terms and coasted home.

“He’s pretty special and really showed it today,” said part-owner Kim McKay who shares in the ownership with her trainer-husband Peter and Christchurch businessman Trevor Luke.

“He’ll go to the Wellington Guineas now.”

The Gr 2 feature at Trentham will be run on October 22 and Antonio Lombardo will then bypass the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and target the Gr 1 Levin Classic. A $120,000 yearling, he has now won five of his 11 starts and already banked more than $370,000.

Antonio Lombardo was ridden by his regular partner Sam Spratt and were in control 800 metres from home after disputing the early pace.

“I was really pleased with him and let him roll forward and he really fights when other horses come to him,” Spratt said.

“It was a very impressive run.”

A top juvenile, Antonio Lombardo won three of his nine starts last season including the Gr 3 Waikato Stud 2YO Classic and the Listed Wellesley Stakes. He was also runner-up in the Karaka Million and then pushed star filly Anabandana to a photo finish in the Gr 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes.