It’s a big week for leading owner Alf La Spina.
But it’s off to a good start.
The Brisbane based owner/breeder is no stranger to success when it comes to juvenile racing following the deeds of Armida, Il Tenore, The Archduchess and Caesar Augustus among others.
And with the juvenile features just around the corner, La Spina is hoping to play a significant role with a number of well-bred youngsters that he has bred or purchased at the sales.
On Saturday night, La Spina will switch his focus to Sydney with exciting prospect San Domino taking his place in the Gr.2 $51,500 Rod Fitzpatrick Memorial at TABCORP Park, Menangle.
A graduate of the Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales, La Spina spent $50,000 to secure the colt from Brooklyn Lodge at the Sydney Sale last year before entrusting the youngster with Bathurst horseman Ben Settree.
The Somebeachsomewhere – Reggae Miss colt looked ultra-impressive at his debut performance last week at Bathurst when scoring comfortably in a time of 1:57.5 while running his final half in 56.7 seconds.
Miracle Mile winning reinsman Mat Rue will again handle San Domino and will start from gate 7 in Saturday’s feature.
And La Spina will have a spring in his step heading into the weekend following the performance of Maestro Bellini at the Albion Park trial session yesterday (Tuesday).
A homebred colt by champion sire Bettors Delight from the richly talented mare Santuzza, Maestro Bellini scorched around the Brisbane oval in a time of 1:56.3 defeating older rivals.
Sectionals were covered in 28.3, 30.4, 29.3 and 28.4 seconds.
Maestro Bellini is prepared by Chris Petroff.
“He’s a nice little colt with good speed and great manners, he’s been a natural from the start and hopefully he keeps improving with time.” Petroff said.
“We all know how good his pedigree is and hopefully he can do the same job as his relations, if not better.” He added.
The Gr.3 $30,000 Wayne Wilson Memorial Paleface Adios Classic at Albion Park on March 5 is an obvious target for the colt while he’s staked for several interstate features including the Bathurst Gold Crown series.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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