Saracino wins 2017 Grant Plumb. Wellington Gneas Group 2 NZ$100,000 at Trentham (NZ) 3yo, 1400m.
Favourite Saracino returned to his best form and showed a lot of courage in winning well over a good field here. From barrier four Jockey Lisa Allpress wasted no time in setting Saracino for the lead. They applied pressure inside the 800m, the first two breaking clear by three lengths, then hugging the fence around the last corner, Allpress drove for home. They were passed at the 150m (by Ferrando) but Saracino fought back hard and did best at the line by a long neck in tenacious fashion.
Top Prospect was third last at the 600m then improved quickly, wide, to be handier turning in. He took time to wind up but flew the last 50m to nab a good second.
Cut Me Loose was forward of midfield (one out) at the 600m, seemed flat at the 300m but ran on strongly over the last 100m to be a close third.
Ferrando was three lengths third past the 600m, moved up three wide into the straight and went after the winner, getting past him soon after and then fought very well, just losing third in the last few strides.
