Testa Rossa revs up at Warwick Farm

Vinery Stud’s Testa Rossa revved up for an early double at the Inglis Nursery meeting at Warwick Farm on Saturday.  His unbeaten homebred Heart Testa was an odds-on winner of the opener and then talented filly Twilight Royale captured the $250,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m).

Twilight Royale (2f Testa Rossa – Royal Season by Royal Academy) tuned up for the rich assignment with a trial placing behind Magic Millions favourite Assail.  She led home a quinella for trainer Bjorn Baker defeating stablemate Fuerza (Snippetson) by half a neck.  Baker said the runner-up will head to the Inglis Classic in a fortnight.

“I bought Twilight Royale at the Inglis Premier in Melbourne and Fuerza at the Sydney Inglis Classic Sale,” Baker said.  “I had no buyers so I’m very grateful to the owners for coming in and supporting me.  They both have good futures.”

Twilight Royale cost $45,000 in Melbourne and banked $169,500 on debut.  She is a half-sister to Hong Kong winners Chater d’Cat (Tale of the Cat) and Quantum Power (Fusaichi Pegasus).  Their dam Royal Season has a colt on the ground by Duporth.

Second dam Quickshine (The Minstrel) is a sister to the dam of Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow (Daylami).  He stands in Victoria at Woodside Park.

Meanwhile, Heart Testa will be set for a shot at the big time after making it four-from-four in the TAB.com.au Hcp (1300m).  Trainer Chris Waller said he will target the Magic Millions Guineas and/or the Sydney autumn carnival.

Heart Testa (3g Testa Rossa – Graciela by Flying Spur) kept his unbeaten record after wins at Newcastle, Canterbury and Rosehill.  He’s a homebred for part-owner Gerry Harvey.  The Magic Millions proprietor also part-owns Vinery Australia where Testa Rossa has been based since transferring from Victoria in 2006.

Vinery offered Heart Testa at the 2011 Magic Million National yearling sale but returned home after failing to reach a $36,000 reserve.  He is from a half-sister to Avondale stakes winner Royal Babe (Rory’s Jester).

Testa Rossa has developed into a Top 10 stallion in Australia and stands for a $33,000 (inc gst) service fee at Vinery.  He has 18 yearlings catalogued for the 2013 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale.