Torranzino books Melbourne Cup slot with Geelong victory
The Paul Preusker-trained Torranzino (Tarzino) booked his spot in next month’s Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) with a stirring victory in Thursday’s Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m).
The son of Tarzino (Tavistock) was up on the pace early, settling one off the fence in fourth position under regular rider Celine Gaudray. When asked the question at the top of the straight, the gelding quickly got the better of eventual sixth Changingoftheguard (Galileo) before gamely running down $1.80 favourite Gilded Water (Fastnet Rock) to claim his second Group 3 win by a half-length. Berkeley Square (Territories) was third, another 0.4 lengths adrift.
Torranzino earned an automatic berth into the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 4 with victory in the feature, delayed by one day due to dangerous winds on Wednesday, which prompted the withdrawal of last year’s winner Onesmoothoperator (Dialed In).
“We’re super excited to get another go [at the Cup], ” Preusker said post-race. “That’s what it’s all about for me, getting a go. Celine’s got that job done for me.
“He’s done plenty of work; I love the way he’s going. The plans changed, the few hurdles that we faced [on Wednesday] – anyway, he’s come through it. We might camp away next time.”
Winner of the Easter Cup (Gr 3, 2000m) at The Valley back in April before a second-place finish in the Warrnambool Cup (Listed, 2350m), Torranzino had been unplaced in his first three outings this prep before a much-improved effort when second to subsequent Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) third Valiant King (Roaring Lion) in the Bart Cummings (Gr 3, 2520m) at Flemington earlier this month.
“He’s been an unbelievable horse all the way through,” the winning trainer said. “He’s wanted to do things his way. I’ve hurdle schooled him, steeple schooled him, we’ve locked horns plenty of times, but eventually he won, and he’s a happy horse now.”
Preusker was buoyed to get another crack at the Cup and said the six-year-old won’t need to do much more before the first Tuesday in November.
“If you can get a chance, you’re a chance, and you learn every time you get into it,” he said. “So grateful for the opportunity to go again. He’s a horse that does well, so we’ll just keep him ticking over. He’ll do plenty in between, but we won’t ask him for anything more. He’s fit.”
Azazel set for Derby date
Upcoming stayer Azazel (3 g ex Alagant Angel by Tavistock) booked his place in next Saturday’s Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) at Flemington when scoring his second career victory in the Geelong Classic (Listed, 2200m) on Thursday.
Raced in the silks of OTI Racing, the son of Shocking finished strongly under Michael Dee to beat Nick Ryan’s Highvol (Microphone) by 0.35 lengths, with Chris Waller’s Savisanta (Savabeel) a further 0.4 lengths behind in third, encouraging connections to press on towards the three-year-old staying feature.
“A big relief. He toughed it out,” winning trainer Mark Walker’s assistant Ben Gleeson said. “When I saw them slacken the pace and make it a sit-sprint, it was never going to suit this horse.
“Credit to Mick, he took off at the right time and the horse was gallant. Thrilled to get this win for OTI – our first stakes winner for them. They’ve given us two horses to use our craft with and going into a Derby. It is very rare that you pilot a path at the start of the spring to get to a Derby and everything goes smoothly and it has been exactly that. He’ll love the 2500 [metres of the Victoria Derby].
“We bought him with that profile in mind. Beautiful Shocking family and hopefully we get a strongly run 2500 and a true staying test. He appreciates the give [in the ground]. Hope there is a bit of rain around next Saturday and if there is give in the ground he’ll be in the finish.”
Winning rider Dee echoed Gleeson’s sentiment.
“They just kept coming back and back,” he said. “My horse doesn’t have a great turn-of-foot but he keeps grinding away. We did want to ride him a bit quieter to try and see a turn-of-foot today but the way it panned out we just had to go and put ourselves into the race and he was really grinding at the top of the straight but I felt he was doing it quite comfortably.
“When he hit the front he was still a bit green and he’s probably a horse that isn’t going to win by a huge margin but he’s got a great will to win and he’s improved each time he steps out. He looked a picture in the yard and he’ll definitely give a sight in the Derby. Ben said he’s kept on improving and he’s got more to some. He’ll be peaking on the right day.”