Pinzano strikes on debut

Pinzano looked a potential black type candidate with a smart performance to win on debut at Pukekohe Park this afternoon. Bred by Garry Chittick, the daughter of Pins had won a trial in the spring before she was put aside to further develop.

“This filly has always showed plenty, but she’s had some growing issues which is why she hasn’t raced until now,” trainer Stephen McKee said. Pinzano came from off the pace will a well-timed run for rider Sam Spratt and a victory achieved in surprise fashion. “I thought she’d fly the gates, as they usually do for Sam, but she finished off really well,” McKee said.

Pinzano was an $18,000 Karaka purchase out of WS’s Select Sale draft for Albert Bosma’s Go Racing Syndicate. She is out of the Centaine mare Martini, who won four races and is a three-quarter sister to the South African Group One winner Taupo Retreat.

Fellow WS graduate Sono Veloce completed a Pukekohe double with a runaway maiden victory. “He’s a pretty fair horse and we’ve always had a high opinion of him,” trainer Nigel Tiley said. A son of No Excuse Needed, he is out of the Volksraad mare Sarah Little, who was a six-time winner.