Saracino To Rebound Says Gangemi
15 March, 2019
Thoroughbred
When the Gangemi stable buy tried horses their judgement is generally very successful and right on the mark.
Led by trainer Chris and his brother Michael, the siblings have built their stables into one of Western Australia’s most astute racing operations.
So when Saracino flopped badly on debut at last year’s Ascot carnival , it came as a bit of a surprise.
The former eastern stater beat one runner home, Caipirinha, when ninth of 10 to Dainty Tess in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m).
It wasn’t the ideal start the Gangemi’s had planned for, but an examination revealed Saracino to be suffering from severe ulcers.
The setback put an immediate end to his campaign and a shot at the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) was ruled out.
Casting aside the disappointment of a couple of months back, Gangemi (Michael) is confident Saracino can rebound in the Vale Mr Ripley Handicap (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Gangemi’s confidence was given a giant boost after the son of Per Incanto’s warm trial when under a good hold for jockey, Jarrad Noske, he cruised to the line 3 ¼ lengths clear of Settler’s Creek.
“All we can do is go off the work the horse has done for us on the track and in trials,” Gangemi told Tabradio.
“His first run in the west was below par and obviously we found a few issues with pretty chronic ulcers.
“He is a pretty smart animal and at the moment he is really ticking all the right boxes.
“To do it under race conditions is yet to be seen, but if he does what he does on the track and in the trials I expect him to be right in the finish.”
Saracino’s three career wins from 23 starts have been black type, including two in New Zealand and one in Melbourne.
He won the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa and the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham.
At Flemington he took out the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m).
Out to end a 728-day losing spell, Saracino lumps the 60.5kg top weight for Noske.
He is the $3.70 second favourite behind Electric Light ($2.90).
The Adam Durrant-trained mare returns after winning seven of nine races in her maiden campaign last year.
Julio Santarelli