Rivellino flies in Skyline Stakes
Also featuring at Randwick on Saturday were speedy juveniles out to prove their Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) credentials, and the first to do so was last-start Inglis Millennium (RL, 1100m) winner Rivellino (Too Darn Hot), who took his unbeaten record to three with a win in the Skyline Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m).
Sent off a $5.50 chance on Saturday, the son of sire sensation Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) proved his capacity to handle high-pressure in the Group 2 contest, letting down at the 300-metre mark under Jason Collett and sustaining his effort to come out the victor in what was a busy finish, with Skyhook (Written Tycoon) just 0.2 lengths back in second.
Quietly Arrogant (Capitalist), who was short for room in the final strides, came home a further 0.1-length away in third.
Rivellino duly firmed into $15 for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill on March 22, and trainer Kris Lees believes the colt can stack up in three weeks’ time.
“He’s a proper horse, this bloke,” the winning trainer said.
“We look forward to getting there [to the Golden Slipper]. He’s pretty versatile and I think on a really hot speed you’ll see a better product again.
“He got a lovely ride from Jason to let him stride up into a three-deep line and that was a winning move off what, without looking at the times, looked a pretty even type of race on times.
“He let him stride into the race at the right time and that was the winning move but he fought off a few late. It was a good effort.”
A $180,000 purchase for his trainer and Bahen Bloodstock out of last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Rivellino (2 c Too Darn Hot – Intrinsic by So You Think) is the first foal to race out of the So You Think (High Chaparral) mare Intrinsic, who has also produced a filly by Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry), and two colts by Written By (Written Tycoon) and State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner).
Darley’s former shuttle stallion Too Darn Hot – crowned Champion First Season Sire in Australia last year – is now second on the overall sires’ table for stakes winners with ten on the board for the season, just one behind Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice).