Patience will be key to highly regarded four-year-old Zorero, who remains unbeaten this preparation, realising his full potential.
The Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos-trained son of Per Incanto was an impressive winner on his home track at Hastings on the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) undercard following his successful resuming run on the opening day of the carnival.
Zorero is raced by Elsdon Park principal Lib Petagna, whose bloodstock interests are managed by agent Bruce Perry, and has now posted three wins and a runner-up finish from five appearances.
“He’s an exciting horse and we’ll just take him quietly through his grades,” Perry said.
“He’ll maybe have two more runs, he’s still on the up so there’s no need to push him too hard at the moment. Guy and Leah are doing a very good job with him.”
Zorero is out of the Charm Spirit mare Lovecharm, who placed as a two-year-old before she went amiss and is a daughter of Fast Love.
She was trained by the now retired Murray Baker for Petagna and won four races, including the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m), and ran third in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2500m).
Zorero was the odd youngster out when offered by Elsdon Park during the Book 1 session at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, where he failed to meet his reserve of $80,000.
“He was the only one we couldn’t sell that year at Karaka,” Elsdon’s General Manager Kerrie Cox said.
“He’s been quite immature and had a few little challenges and that’s why he’s being taking along quietly.
“He’s still so new and we’re lucky he’s got Guy and Leah, they are very patient and do what’s right for the horse to get the results.”
His dam Lovecharm, whose pedigree page also features the multiple Group-winning sprinter Lost And Running, has an Alabama Express colt who will be offered at Karaka next January.
She is due to foal later this month to Per Incanto and a decision will be made whether she visits the Street Cry stallion again or his son and associate Little Avondale Stud sire Little Brose.
Meanwhile, the immediate future of another Petagna-owned representative in Raymond has been locked in.
The homebred by Ardrossan has placed in two of his three runs for trainer Stephen Marsh, including a last-start third in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) after copping trouble out of the barrier.
“He’ll run in the Sarten Memorial (Gr.2, 1400m) and then go down to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m),” Perry said.
Out of the Written Tycoon mare Bridgewater, Raymond is a brother to stablemate Ardalio, winner at Group Three level of the Almanzor Trophy (1200m), Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Counties Bowl (1100m) in Petagna’s colours.