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Turn The Ace takes out Listed contest at Te Rapa.
Eight days after providing Windsor Park Stud-based first-season sire Turn Me Loose (Iffraaj) with his first winner when making a winning debut at Te Rapa, Turn The Ace (2 g ex Frescoes by Lonhro) handed the stallion another important milestone when he became the son of Iffraaj's (Zafonic) first stakes winner courtesy of his victory in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Te Repa on Saturday.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained two-year-old gelding showed no issues with the back-up, coming out on top of a desperate finish to beat Rangi Toa (Shamexpress) by a nose, while Beldarra (Hinchinbrook) was another length and three-quarters away in third.
"We weren't too sure about backing him up after his win last week, but he did really well, so we rolled the dice and got the result we were looking for," said Forsman.
"It was a super win, from a very tough horse, who I think is going to thrive with some time off now before we look at a three-year-old campaign.
"The last thing you wanted to see was for him to lead and maybe knock up in the final stages, but he showed plenty of guts and reminded me of his old man so much with the attitude and determination he displayed.
"We have quite a few by Turn Me Loose in the stable and I think he will definitely make it as a stallion on what they are showing us at home."
Purchased by Forsman for NZ$30,000 at Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale last year, Turn The Ace is one of four winners out of the dual-winning Lonhro (Octagonal) mare Frescoes.
The gelding's third dam is Group 2 winner Shaybisc (Biscay) - the dam of Group 2 scorer Sashed (Sir Tristram) and she in turn produced dual Group 1 winner Freemason (Grand Lodge) and Listed scorer Santissima (Quest For Fame).
Shaybisc herself is also the dam of Group 3-winning pair Bradshaw (Last Tycoon) and Asarka (Crown Jester), while she is the grandam of Group 1 winner Mental (Lonhro).
Frescoes' filly by Rich Hill Stud shuttler Vadamos (Monsun) was purchased by Slade Bloodstock for NZ$80,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale earlier this year and last spring she produced a filly by Highview Stud-based sire Wrote (High Chaparral).
Turn Me Loose stood last season for a fee of NZ$10,000 (plus GST) and his service fee for 2021 season is yet to be announced.