PEPPERELLO TOO HOT FOR THEM

In training for David and Elizabeth Olsen, Pepperello (3 f Atlante – Tarantella, by O’Reilly) capped solid form with a victory in the $10,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 3YO Fillies 1400 metres on 27 February at Pukekohe.

By ill-fated 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winning stallion Atlante (Fastnet Rock), who is proving a significant loss to the industry, Pepperello had finished second and third, respectively, in her first two starts this time in and the win came at her fifth.

Given time (39 days) after finishing sixth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 19 January at Te Rapa, where a lead, trail, trip on genuine pace failed to work in her favour, she travelled well in front throughout for two-kilo claiming apprentice Taiki Yanagida, had a few off the nickel when straightening for the long run (450m) home and never flinched once seeing off her closest rival.

In the time between runs, constituted by one cancelled meeting and a wide draw, co-trainer Pam Gerard had indicated her satisfaction with the progress by the filly.

“She has continued to grow and really strengthened up and I was very pleased with the way she looked heading into the race,” she said.

“She’s more confident when she’s out in front and has a high cruising speed, and when she gets to the front she’s more relaxed whereas back in the field she tends to over-race. She’s still got a bit to learn around other horses and still quite green.

“Also, too, she’s taken a bit of time and a late three-year-old that probably wants some cut in the track.

“We’ve taken her along quietly and she’s strengthened up and looks good, and still has more to go.

“She’s certainly always shown something, even when trialling before her only start as a two-year-old the ability has been there.”

From the family of noted stallion Yamanin Vital (Sir Tristram), Pepperello is a sizeable filly, with a stride to match, and boasts the right attributes to progress further.

She caught punters to napping to a degree, returning $19.10 & $4.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Pepperello was strapped by Rathore Sher Singh.