The Riverton Stud bred Pomodoro colt Cirillo has proven a genuine moneyspinner for owner Chris van Niekerk. He took his earnings to over R4,3 million on Saturday – without having won a stakes feature in his 12 starts to date.
Anton Marcus has Cirillo well in control (Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The stakes placed galloper was astutely dropped back in distance by trainer Sean Tarry after running a well beaten fourth in the Cape Guineas behind Soqrat at his last start. He had won the R2,5 million CTS Ready To Run Stakes in November at his penultimate start.
A popular Pick 6 banker, Anton Marcus had Cirillo in touch with the leaders in the R5 million CTS 1200 for much of the race as Temple Grafin and Celestial Storm showed the way.
At the 350m marker Marcus brought the consistent colt up the outside and he bounced away from his field with only Elusive Trader putting up any resistance.
At the line, Cirillo won under the hands by 3,50 lengths in a time of 71,02 secs.
Elusive Trader tried hard but had no answers, with Seventh Sea and Joburg visitor Palace Chapel rounding off the quartet.
In the big money race, another Joburg visitor in Joey Soma’s Comaneci squeaked into fifth to bank the R200 000 final cheque.
The enigmatic Gr1 winner Van Halen disappointed again, finishing well downfield.
Winning trainer Sean Tarry chats to Fiona Ramsden (Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Trained by Sean Tarry for his leading owner Chris van Niekerk, the R300 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase has won 4 races with 6 places from 12 starts for stakes of R4 311 750.
Bred by Riverton Stud, Cirillo is by Pomodoro (Jet Master) – who won the July in the same silks – out of the Lake Coniston mare, Miss Wordsmith.
