Group Two win for Puttanesca

Bertolini and Reset fillies earn black type at Ellerslie

Three-year-old Bertolini filly Puttanesca started the new year in impressive fashion when landing the G2 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes at Ellerslie on 1 January. Third place in the 2000m event when to Cassini, by Reset, who finished a long neck and head behind the winner.

The bumper New Year’s Day card also featured the G2 Rich Hill Mile, in which Cape Cross four-year-old Sircross finished second. A Listed winner who was also placed in last year’s Waikato Guineas, Sircross is out of the American-bred mare Contra Aid.

Reset (pictured), who is leading the second-crop sires’ table in Australia, celebrated yet another winner, this time on the Gold Coast, when three-year-old colt Frozone won the 1400m maiden on his second start.