Son of former sprinter to start favourite in the Caulfield Cup.
Those who remember Ghibellines as a racehorse might be surprised to see he is the sire of a Caulfield Cup favourite, as he is this year with Smokin' Romans.
He had a profile before he even raced thanks to older half-sister Guelph, a three-time Group 1 winner, and while he didn't match her deeds on the track he did win a Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at two and finished third in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old.
But only once did he race beyond 1200m, in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), when he finished last of 13.
It's hardly the form card of a horse who seemed destined to sire a runner considered hardest to beat in the world's richest 2400m handicap.
But the results of Ghibellines' progeny is almost twice as good at 2000m and beyond as what it is below that trip.
The 11-year-old, who stands for NZ$8000 at White Robe Lodge in New Zealand, has had 1137 starters for 131 winners at 11.52%.
Of those, 1007 runs have been below 2000m for 106 wins at 10.52% while at 2000m and beyond he has had 130 starters for 25 wins at 19.23%.
Smokin' Romans has been his standout performer, winning up to 2500m and stamping himself Caulfield Cup favourite with a dominant Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) win last time out, and is one of 20 individual runners at 2000m beyond for Ghibellines, half of which have won.
Out of Group 1 ATC Sires' (1400m) winner Camarilla, a daughter of Queensland Derby winner Camarena, Ghibellines is a son of French Derby winner Shamardal (Giant's Causeway), who has proven himself a versatile stallion the world over.
Shamardal's highest-rated performers are dual King's Stand Stakes (1000m) winner Blue Point, Pinatubo, a three-time Group 1 winner at 1400m, and champion Hong Kong miler Able Friend but he has also thrown Coral-Eclipse (2012m) winner Mukhadram and Breeders Cup Turf (2400m) winner Tarnawa.
In Australia his most famous product, Puissance De Lune, never won at Group 1 level but turned in some dazzling staying performances, while Faint Perfume won a VRC Oaks (2500m).
That, combined with the stout pedigree of Smokin' Romans' dam Inferno, might explain why the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding is at his best over a trip.
Inferno, a daughter of Yamanin Vital, won 10 races from 1400m to 2200m, including two editions of the Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m).
She is out of the Honor Grades mare Emerald Fire, who also won up to 2000m and also produced Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) and Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) placegetter Unfurl and Ronnie, who was Stakes-placed at 2200m.
Smokin' Romans' fourth dam, Firefly, was placed in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
