Quality mare Ortensia gave January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale a boost when she cruised to victory in today’s listed Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.
Despite drifting with bookies to start a $6.50 elect, Ortensia raced clear of her rivals in the black type event to win by a soft two lengths.
The win came at her first start for new trainer Paul Messara – the Hunter Valley based horseman who is now eyeing off the Group One feature sprints in New Zealand over the festive period.
“Everything went to plan today,” Messara said. “She was all class today.”
“I must say, I was very nervous coming here today, there is a lot of pressure with this horse and she delivered.”
So easy was the win that champion international jockey Darren Beadman said he “didn’t even raise a sweat.”
The daughter of Testa Rossa will most likely head to New Zealand now for in an attempt to win a Group One. She was disqualified after winning a Galaxy Handicap in Sydney.
Ortensia is one of two winners from two to race for the well related Picnicker mare Aerate’s Pick.
A full sister to Intelligent Star and half sister to Blaze the Turf (dam of Soleil), Aerate’s Pick was unraced but is the dam of two city winners from as many to race.
Her latest yearling product, a chestnut colt by Testa Rossa, is being prepared by Woodside Park on behalf of Riverside Stud for January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The colt, a full brother to Ortensia, is catalogued as lot 438 and he will go under the hammer during the third session of the auction on January 13.
He is one of seven top prospects heading to the Gold Coast under the Woodside Park Stud banner – the others are by sires including Charge Forward, Northern Meteor, Stratum and Street Sense.
The cream of Testa Rossa’s latest yearling crop will be at the Gold Coast – 35 catalogued for the first five sessions of the popular auction.
The 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will commence on January 11.