Tuesday, 25 October 2011: Crack Pins colt Antonio Lombardo kept his unbeaten run as a three-year-old intact with a solid win in the Group 3 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes
In a cracking field that included champion 2YO of last season Anabandana (Anabaa), Soliloquy Stakes winner Holy Moly (
Holy Roman Emperor) and Bonecrusher Stakes winner Artistic (Darci Brahma), Antonio Lombardo (Pins x Petit Verdot) showed why he is considered the leader of the current New Zealand three-year-olds.
Ridden by Sam Spratt, Antonio Lombardo hit the lead at the 1000 metre mark, much like he did in the G2 Hawke's Bay Guineas, and was left uncontested for the running.
In the straight he maintained his lead and held off Anabandana and Karaka graduate Holy Moly to the post
to win by one length.
Old rivals Antonio Lombardo and Anabandana have met on numerous occasions, the most memorable when they fought out an exciting finish in the G1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes last season when Anabandana won by a nose.
Antonio Lombardo is having a brilliant three-year-old season for trainer Peter McKay but he is not heading for the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas, instead will be aimed at the G1 Levin Classic on November 25.
He also holds spot at the top of the Order of Entry for the Karaka 3YO Mile with a domestic rating of 93.
Bred by Robert Anderson, Cherry Taylor and Trelawney Thoroughbreds, Antonio Lombardo was bought by Peter and Kim McKay from Trelawney Stud at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $120,000.
He has now won six of his twelve starts and over $415,000 in stakes.
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