Another gem by Testa Rossa

Testa Rossa continued a late-season surge with his two year-olds when Pindan Pearl scored on debut at Morphettville on Saturday.

The Peter Moody trained filly was his fourth juvenile winner this month following Perth colt Testamezzo and the Victorian based youngsters Il Diamante and The Bowler.

The victory was also a milestone for the Vinery sire – she was Testa Rossa’s 500th individual winner and they have arrived at an incredible 72.4% strike-rate.

Pindan Pearl (2f Testa Rossa – Reggie by Germano) was spirited across the border for her first start and Moody picked the right target in the Dominant Hcp (1050m).  Settled just off the pace, she was green but was still good enough to overhaul the leaders and score by over a length.

Breeder Reg Kemister kept a share in Pindan Pearl after selling her for $150,000 at the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions.  “I have about a dozen broodmares,” he said.  ”It is a business that I really enjoy and it gives you a buzz when a horse you’ve bred wins a big race.”

Kemister bought Reggie for $290,000 at the 2010 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale when she was carrying Pindan Pearl.  Moody had prepared the NZ-bred mare to 12 wins up to 2400m including the G3 Premier’s Cup at Doomben and the LR Bagot Hcp at Flemington.

Moody has been a Testa Rossa fan from the outset having trained his first two good horses Testafiable (South Australian Derby) and Tereschenko (Magic Millions Cup).   “I have always had a bit of an attraction to them,” he said.  “They’re tough and get the job done.”

Melbourne stakes winners Testascana and Panipique are other talented Testa Rossa gallopers to emerge from his Caulfield stables.  Pindan Pearl can also make the grade with maturity and Moody’s ability to get the best out of the breed.

Vinery will stand Testa Rossa for a $27,500 (inc gst) service fee this year.

– Karl Patterson