Classy Return By Florentina

3 minute read

Sydney filly Florentina returned from a throat operation to become the 89th stakeswinner for her champion sire Redoute's Choice with a classy Group 3 win in the $125,000 Gold Coast Guineas on Saturday.

Florentina was having her first start since she underwent throat surgery late last year.

The Redoute's Choice filly showed her quality when she took control of the race 300m from the finish and comfortably beat Punch On by a length.

Raced by her breeders John and Deborah Camilleri, Florentina is the 17th stakeswinner this season by Redoute's Choice.

Florentina and her half-brother, G1 winner Gathering, are from the Peintre Celebre mare Celebria, who shares her grand-dam Dancing Show with Redoute's Choice.

It's also the family of G1 winners Umatilla, Hurricane Sky, Platinum Scissors, Al Maher and Manhattan Rain.

Her full sister made $450,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when secured by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds.

Winning trainer David Payne prepared Florentina's mother Celebria for John Camilleri but she broke down and was sent to the breeding barn.

Camillieri promised Payne one of Celebria's foals and sent Florentina to him when she was a yearling.

"Her mother was a cripple and John gave me this filly to train," Payne said.

"She has any amount of natural ability but she has problems with her throat and that restricts what I can do with her.

"We'll take her step by step and I am certain she can pick up another black type race up in Queensland."

Rider Glyn Schofield said he was confident Florentina had the best form leading into the race and rode her confidently.

"I went into the race with plenty of confidence and she justified that," Schofield said.

"I was happy where she was and conscious I needed to get off the fence and find the best going wide out in the straight.

"She's a very consistent filly and it's a shame she has a throat problem because she is very talented."