Ghibellines ticks up another winner
By Jonny Turner
Finn McCool became the latest winner for White Robe Lodge sire Ghibellines when he scored a deserved win at Rotorua last week.
The Stephen Marsh trained four-year-old had been a consistent performer, running top-five placings in his six starts leading in to his 1215m victory.
After jumping well and putting himself in a handy position on the pace, Finn McCool (Ghibellines-Stage Flash-Lake Coniston) came off heels on the home turn and unwound strongly for his deserved victory for rider Samantha Collett.
Finn McCool became the sixth winning foal from his dam, Lake Coniston mare Stage Flash (Lake Coniston-Stage Show-Pax In Bello).
Stage Flash has made a remarkable impact at White Robe Lodge after being purchased at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Broodmare Sale.
Her previous winners include Cherry Creek (Monashee Mountain), Powder Creek (Danzighill), News Flash (Gallant Guru), Whare Creek (Yamanin Vital) and Raff (Raise The Flag).
Stage Flash, now retired and deployed as a 'nanny' for younger stock at White Robe Lodge, is responsible for producing three generations of stakes winners.
A Listed winner herself, Stage Flash's daughter Cherry Creek went on to win the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes.
Cherry Creek left three-time group 3 winner Coulee, who won two Canterbury Breeders Stakes and a memorable victory in the White Robe Lodge Handicap.
Cherry Creek has also left Stella Creek, who placed in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes this season.
Finn McCool came to the Marsh stable after being purchased by the The Robt Dawe Agency at the 2018 South Island Sale.
The talented type is not the only Ghibellines galloper to run a big race over the past week.
Romantic Trove (Ghibellines-Huhu Lass-King's Chapel) showed he has a big future in Hong Kong when running a good third over 1000m at Sha Tin.
That placing came in just his second run since arriving in Hong Kong.
Romantic Trove trialled impressively at Taupo last year before being sold to clients of trainer Chris So Wai-yin.
Dunedin Guineas winner El Gladiador (Ghibellines-Querella-Haafiz) showed he is also closing in on another win at Riccarton on Friday.
The four-year-old looks to be in for a big prep following his strong first up second placing behind Colorado Miss over 1400m.