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Pinito stamped her class on Saturday with victory in the G3 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Plate at Doomben on the opening day of Brisbane’s Winter Carnival.
The four-year-old mare returned to Queensland 12 months on from her runner-up finish in the G1 Queensland Oaks and added another black-type success to her record following her recent G3 Aspiration Stakes victory in Sydney for trainer Chris Waller.
Starting a short-priced favourite, Pinito was forced to work wide in the straight under James McDonald before producing a strong finish to prevail in a thrilling four-way battle to the line. The official margin was 0.13 lengths, with the mare stopping the clock at 1:35.54 for the mile.
McDonald, who also partnered Pinito in her Aspiration Stakes success, said the mare’s form made her the standout runner heading into the race.
“She’s a good horse. Obviously running second in the Oaks this time last year, she’s no slouch,” McDonald said. “The writing was on the wall, so to speak, because she was the well-performed horse coming into this race.”
Trainer Chris Waller indicated Pinito could remain in Brisbane for another start at Eagle Farm in two weeks’ time over the same distance.
Waller also acknowledged Godolphin’s ongoing support following the transition of several horses to his stable after the departure of former stable trainer James Cummings to Hong Kong.
“Godolphin have been terrific supporters of a lot of trainers over the past year, and I’ve been a benefactor of that,” Waller said.
“They’re a great team to work with and they appreciate black-type results.”
Pinito has now recorded four wins from 16 starts, alongside nine placings, underlining her consistency at stakes level. Bred by Vieira Group, the daughter of Trapeze Artist was purchased by Godolphin Australia for $260,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She is the second foal from the Sebring mare Waltzing Wodka, a full sister to G2 winners Catch A Fire and Seaburge. The pedigree also features G1 Australasian Oaks winner La Volta, the granddam of G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss.
Meanwhile, Abashiri looks to build on a highly promising first turf appearance when she lines up in a second Classic this month in the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Frankel homebred acquitted herself well in the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket as she went down by four lengths in total in fifth behind True Love, despite being the least experienced filly in the field.
A daughter of G1-winning mare Sobetsu, Abashiri’s only other start for Charlie Appleby came in a Kempton Park maiden in November, when she quickened clear of her rivals for an easy win.
Charlie Appleby said: “We have been pleased with how Abashiri came out of her run at Newmarket, when she emerged with plenty of credit on her first turf start. The experience has brought her forward and we are hopeful of some improvement, which will be needed if she is to be involved at the finish.”
Distant Storm ran another admirable race in defeat as he chased home old rival Gstaad in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas, with Pacific Avenue producing a career best to take third in the Curragh Classic on Saturday.
Having finished third behind Gstaad in both the G1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes and G1 2,000 Guineas, Distant Storm tracked his main rival in sixth of the 10 runners, with Pacific Avenue held up towards the rear on the outside of the field.
Distant Storm was initially unable to go with Gstaad when the winner took up the running a furlong and a half out, although the Appleby-trained colt responded well for Billy Loughnane to take second inside the final furlong.
Gstaad crossed the line three lengths clear of Distant Storm, as stablemate Pacific Avenue closed strongly under Jamie Spencer to grab third from Power Blue and Alparslan in the final strides.
Appleby said: “It was another very pleasing run from Distant Storm, who has put up a solid race again. It looks as though he might appreciate stepping up to a mile and a quarter, so we could look at something like the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot or possibly taking him out to America. We will let the dust settle before discussing where to go next.”
