Campione D’Italia
Campione D’Italia delivered a breakout elite-level performance at Randwick on Saturday, surging to victory in the Group 1 ATC Inglis Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and handing China Horse Club, Newgate Farm and its partners another major two-year-old success.
The son of Snitzel was backing up off a fast-finishing fourth in the Golden Slipper and confirmed his class with a powerful closing effort under James McDonald. Prepared by Chris Waller, Campione D’Italia has continued to improve with racing this preparation, having already claimed the Group 2 Skyline Stakes before taking the next step at the highest level in the Sires’.
Waller said the colt’s steady progress had been evident throughout the campaign.
“Today was his fourth career start and each run has got a little bit better, a little bit better,” Waller said.
“His run in the Golden Slipper was amazing. He just got too far back. It was no-one’s fault, and the horse is just learning all the time.
“He got a lovely draw today, and that was the difference between having him in the firing line or going back like he was last start. It was good to see him knuckle down and get the job done.”
China Horse Club’s Michael Smith said the colt had shown high-class talent from the outset and continued to reward the work that had gone into his development.
“His natural ability has been evident from his debut trial win in December, and it’s been a real team effort from Chris Waller and his team to put the polish on him,” Smith said.
“He’s a horse we’re looking towards the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) with in a fortnight’s time, before having a break and mapping out some spring features like the Golden Rose, Coolmore Stud Stakes or Caulfield Guineas.
“He’s learning all the time, and we are learning about him as well, but one thing is certain: he’s an exciting colt for us to be racing in these top-class contests.”
McDonald was equally bullish after the win.
“He’s a sensational horse,” McDonald said.
“He’s beautifully bred and is a horse with a real future.”
A Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, Campione D’Italia is now a Group 1-winning colt with his spot at stud confirmed in due course and progressive profile.