11 wins, four at stakes level and in career best form as an 8YO. There aren’t many horses like SCALLOPINI.
The veteran gelding in full flight at Flemington on Saturday was a sight to behold, as Damian Lane executed a perfect front-running ride to take out the Listed Sofitel (1400m) in dominant fashion.
SCALLOPINI’s 2.3 length win reinforced the tried-and-true formula of weight-for-age horses coming back to handicap conditions.
After two commendable efforts in premium WFA races in Melbourne this campaign, the son of SNITZEL comfortably lumped 58.5kg to victory, banking $105,000 for his owners in the process.
A $200,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase back in 2016, SCALLOPINI has been a marvel for Proven Thoroughbreds, finishing in the money at 63% of his 38 career starts and earning prizemoney in excess of $800,000.
He was one of four gallopers handpicked by co-trainers Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted in July to travel interstate and take on the early Melbourne spring carnival.
The decision proved to be an inspired one, with three of the four runners going on to score at stakes level in the southern state.
There was a temptation to stay in Melbourne for another week and run SCALLOPINI in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, but the team felt it was in the horse’s best interests to get him home to Queensland for a spell so that he can be prepared for another Magic Millions campaign in January.
And so a most satisfying Melbourne sojourn for the O’Dea-Hoysted camp comes to a close. No doubt their success in recent weeks will have given them the impetus to return next year!