The Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted trained eight-year-old not only claimed his twelfth career win in the Listed HKJC Elms Handicap over 1400m at Flemington on Saturday, but he did that carrying the steadying burden of 60kg from a very wide number thirteen barrier draw.
To put that weight carrying achievement in perspective, Scallopini carried 6kg more than both the runner-up Biometric and the third placed Munhamek … two overseas imports.
To put the run from the draw in perspective, going forward and crossing the field to lead meant Scallopini would have to be tough at both ends to claim the win.
It brought and extra layer of effort into play compared to those who got the run of the race and Scallopini handled the task like the accomplished veteran he is … that, it must be said, while working in perfect harmony with ace jockey Damian Lane who rated the son of Snitzel to a tee.
Lane had been aboard Scallopini in his previous win at Flemington (the gelding is two from two at the track) which came in the Listed The Sofitel / Tontonan Stakes … a run which provided a fitting climax for that particular preparation, with Scallopini then being given a three month break away from race action.
“Our plan after that little Spring campaign he had in Melbourne was to target the Magic Millions day and run him in The Syndicate, first-up.” explained co-trainer Steven O’Dea, “and to then take him back to Melbourne again.
“He was good winning at Flemington previously. It is strange to think he is an eight-year-old and we are still learning things about him, but obviously watching him in his first time down there going the Melbourne way of going last prep, it really seemed like he really enjoyed getting on that leg.
“Even when he first went down there, in his trackwork I thought he looked more comfortable in his action and everything, so, like I said, it might seem funny that we are still learning about him, but we are.
“Look, he has always been a horse that has appreciated big tracks,” continued O’Dea.”His record at Eagle Farm, the Sunshine Coast and now Flemington as well shows that. He definitely relishes the big tracks and, obviously, we now know he likes the Melbourne way of going as well.
“Emphasising that fact is that he is a horse who has never previously led and won before until he did that both times at Flemington. It just goes to show that both times there he has really enjoyed being out in front. He had his ears pricked coming around the turn and has obviously given a really good kick by going through his gears as he’s liked.
“Taking into account horses in our stable like Uncommon James, who is sort of untapped … we don’t know how good he can be … and Shooting For Gold, who has been a great horse for us too … probably, for me personally, Scallopini winning at Flemington … for him to be doing that at the age he is … has definitely given me the biggest buzz.
“For a fair while now, we have tried to keep his preparations limited to three or four runs and tried to space those out”, said O’Dea. “Going into Saturday’s run it was four weeks between runs. His next run it will be three weeks and then we’ll assess things further from there.
‘The race programme has to work for you to be able to do that … and it doesn’t always do that. A lot of the times the lead-up to the bigger races can be two weeks between runs. So, you definitely have to choose your races and pick the right level with him.
“He is only a Listed winner … albeit he has won five of them, or whatever … but, look, he is going super.
“At the time we got him, he was the dearest horse we had purchased and now he has become the first horse in the stable to hit the $1 million mark in prize-money.
“It’s a big buzz for him to do that.”
“He’ll probably go to the Shaftsbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington in three weeks time. It is a Group 3 race over 1400m.
“It is a Handicap race … the same as Saturday’s race was, so, whether the handicapper catches up with him a little bit, we’ll have to wait and see. He was already high up in the ratings so, hopefully, they don’t hit him too hard for that.
“There is The Ajax in Sydney, which is on the same day as well … a Group 2 over 1500m.
‘They are both options for him, but it would be hard to shy away from Flemington when he has got such a good record there.
*Scallopini has won twelve races and has claimed fourteen minor placings from forty career starts. He has won over distances ranging from 1110m to 1400m, achieving his wins on both good and soft going. His current prize-money earnings stands at $1,011,258.
