19 Sep 2008
Last year's Group 1 AJC Derby winner
Fiumicino is looking to become the fourth Melbourne Cup winner for his sire, Zabeel, this spring.
The Cambridge Stud super sire has previously been represented by the Melbourne Cup winners Might And Power (1997), Jezabeel (1998) and Efficient (2007).
Fiumicino burst into Melbourne Cup calculations with his fine win in the Group 2 A$150,000 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday which showed he was back to the sort of form which won him the Group 1 AJC Derby earlier in his career.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing reported today:
Positioned handy to the pace,
Fiumicino (NZ) toughed out the finish with Dealer Principal, eventually prevailing for the Gr.2 honours by a head in a time of 1.57.38.
Bred by Graham de Gruchy in partnership with Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan of Cambridge Stud,
Fiumicino is the grandson of the champion distaffer
Horlicks and was purchased by Nick Moraitis for NZ$425,000 at the 2005 Premier Yearling Sale.
Since this time he has been patiently handled by champion trainer John Hawkes and son Michael, winning four times and placing twice from his 13 career starts.
Should
Fiumicino (NZ) be successful on the first Tuesday of November, the following milestones will be achieved.
Fiumicino (NZ) be successful on the first Tuesday of November, the following milestones will be achieved.