Mach Three filly Machitelli showed she could be a Southland Oaks filly later in the season when she impressively won on debut at the Riverton Trotting Club's meeting at Ascot Park on Sunday.
The three year old owned by Temuka couple Ivan and Ann Behrnes and trained by close neighbour Brent White was taken straight to the lead from gate one by driver Stephen McNally. He handed up to longshot Evangeline Franco before going round that runner to take the lead again.
Behrnes and his wife Ann raced Machitelli's third dam Assisi – a Vance Hanover mare which won four of her nineteen starts.
"We wanted to get back into the family. Working with Alabar (Stud) we heard from Graham Henley that Sassi Bella (Presidential Ball – Assisi) was available to buy," Ivan Behrnes said.
They've also recently purchased Big Jim mare Nga Mihi Nui which is out of Sabine who's by Christian Cullen out of Assisi and a full-sister to Roman Gladiator.
"So we've really invested in the family. We'd like to thank Peter Smith and Winky Foley who gave us the opportunity to buy Nga Mihi Nui who has just returned a positive to Sportswriter."
All the way through her preparations as a two and three year old there has been a bit of talk around Machitelli's ability.
"Brent is a neighbour to ours and he's been working her right the way through. He always had a high opinion of her and has a bit going for her. We just took faith because he's a very good judge and educator of a horse. Ann and I took the plunge and thought we might race this one ourselves. We knew she was commercial enough to get up and sell. She could have had a crack as a two year old but Brent sees her more as an end of season three year old in a race like the Southland Oaks if she improves."
Sassi Bella has left three foals – Machitelli, Ranieri (Art Major colt) and Bolzano (Sunshine Beach colt) and is currently in foal to Sportswriter.
"Machitelli is more like Assisi. The Art Major has an Art Major head but more of the family body while the Sunshine Beach has thrown more to the sire's side. He's got more length and strength about him."
Prior to Sunday's debut Machitelli had had four workouts and three trials.
"She had a few workouts to get her confidence. She had a few steering issues which has been work in progress. She went to Ashburton and qualified and blasted from eight at the barrier, led and won by two lengths. We saw the ability she had then. She can sustain good pace and has stamina."
Winning connections – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Behrens also manages the Alabar Syndicate which races unbeaten Auckland Reactor colt Chase Auckland, one of the likely favourites for this Tuesday's $170,000 Group One NRM Sires Stakes Final at Addington.
"One of the guys in the syndicate calls him the excitement machine. There are trainers, people in their eighties and some very experienced horse people and to see the joy he brings is amazing. Press the accelerator and he just goes. He's not a grinding type of horse. He's just getting better and better and Natalie is still teaching him how to race."
Later in the programme White won with Xmas Joyella which was reined by junior driver Mikayla Lewis.
Mikayla Lewis and Xmas Joyella beating Eagle Galleon (11) – Photo Bruce Stewart
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing