Masetto Makes It Two For The Day

Following victory by three-year-old colt Harlech (Darci Brahma) in the James and Annie Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m), the roll continued for Ballymore Stables with a courageous win by Masetto (4 g Cape Blanco – Passchendaele, by Montjeu) in the $25,000 Lodge Real Estate Rating 72 1600 metres on Labour Day at Te Rapa.

Owned and bred by David and Elizabeth Olsen, from their 2009 Waikato Cup (Gr. 2, 2400m) winner Passchendaele, who also finished third twice in the Darci Brahma International Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on the same course, Masetto had resumed with a very good second when having his first start for the stable in the Rating 72 1400 metres on 22 September at Pukekohe.

Although all was not overly rosy when jockey Donavan Mansour was trapped three wide on the pace, Masetto settled into a nice rhythm and showed tremendous will to win in running down stakes placed mare Savy Yong Blonk (Savabeel).

“It was unfortunate that Jason (Waddell) came off the rail and we were pushed wide, but he relaxed and when we were chasing I felt that I had enough to win,” Mansour said. “He tried all the way.

On footing downgraded to Dead5 following a few heavy showers, Masetto did well in clocking 1:37.0, last 600m in 36, for the 1600 metres.

“He’s a pretty good horse, but I didn’t think he could win from barrier 11,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard, after Masetto scored his third win from nine starts.

“He’s done well in the stable and we’re looking forward to getting him up over more ground. The more mature he gets I feel that in time we can see him in some nice cups races.”

Masetto carries a lovely Sadler’s Wells cross through his sire lines. With Cape Blanco being by his star sire son Galileo, and as the sire of dam sire Montjeu. Passchendaele was a terrific race mare, winning five of 14 starts, and she in turn from impressive winning race mare Classic Babe (Classic Fame) who won six times from 1400m – 2500m. Still early in her breeding career, Passchendaele has left two individual winners of four races, while the stable also trains half-sister Rusalka (Savabeel) who ran a very good race for sixth after being caught wide and then baulked for a run in the straight over 1600 metres.

“Delightful this day has been with Rusalka earlier on in the day and then Masetto winning,” said David Olsen. “Congratulations to an excellent trainer and I’m sure Elizabeth, who couldn’t be here, having to look after the farm, would also like to extend her congratulations.

“The horses are in terrific order and we’re looking forward to future wins.”

Masetto was strapped by Jahmane Murray-Bromwich.