Korilya Stud resident Balestrini has sired his first black-type winner in the LR Raconteur Stakes at Ascot.

Rantorini (3f Balestrini – Supranto by Laranto) had finished fourth on debut last month after coming from last in a capacity field at Ascot.  She broke through at Pinjarra second-up and then arrived from the second half of the field to defeat Watermans Bay (Eternity Range) by a length at Listed level.

“She should be unbeaten,” trainer Phil Humann said.  “She’s a filly with plenty of promise and I’ll talk to the owners before deciding to spell her or go on.”

After educating Rantorini early on, connections asked Humann to train her full-time.  The Raconteur winner is the second winner from Supranto who was a Listed winner of the 2001 Lindsay Rosenthal Stakes at Belmont.

Despite the black-type, Superanto was hawked around the Pilbara later in life without success.  Second dam Khaddad (Todvega) was a sister to G2 Lee-Steere Stakes winner Wabasso.

Balestrini (Danehill) carried Coolmore’s colours to a G3 victory in the 2003 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.  A year earlier, Coolmore had won the same race with High Chaparral.

He is one of three sons of Welsh Love (Ela-Mana-Mou) to see service in Western Australia.   Second Empire (Fairy King) is now based in South Africa after being used at Heytesbury Stud while Ihtiram (Royal Academy) sired champion mare Miss Andretti from his days at Wayandah Stud.

Another son Hemingway (Spectrum) stands at Bullarook Stud in Victoria.

Balestrini was originally based at Bellbridge Stud before Korilya Stud’s Ellie Giles took him on board at her Wonnerup nursery in the State’s south-west.  His last advertised fee was $4,400.