By Jonny Turner
Richmond trainer Robert Stuart notched the first winning double of his career when siblings Scelta Uno and Nerano scored at Palmerston North on Tuesday.
And in the process, he booked the pair’s dam, Jass, in for a late-season trip to the breeding barn.
Nerano became the fourth winner from four starters for the Village Jasper mare when cruising to victory in race 8 with Peter Ferguson in the sulky.
Stuart hopes the victory is the sign of things to come from the son of Tintin In America.
“Peter said he never pulled the plugs and he just sat on him.”
“So, that was good.”
“I like him, he has got a bit to learn, but he is a perfect little racehorse.”
“I am hoping he is a proper Tintin and he can run like hell.”
It has not been a completely smooth ride to the winner’s circle for Nerano.
And because of that, there should be plenty of improvement to come from the four-year-old.
“He only had three runs in the hopples, because he tipped me out and smashed my cart up,” Stuart said.
“He had a wee break after that, so he hasn’t done much.”
Nerano’s victory came after his half-sister Scelta Uno notched the sixth win of her career in race 4.
Ferguson sat the daughter of Mach Three off the speed before she produced a powerful finish to win.
“She is better driven like that rather than in front,” Stuart said.
“We were pretty happy with that.”
Stuart bred, owned and trained his two winners together with his wife, Sue.
She drives Scelta Uno in her work, so deserved the credit for her win, Stuart said.
“Sue does all of the fast work with mares.”
“We are working five horses and she is a big help.”
Jass has also left Speciale Uno and Jazelle in her progeny’s unbeaten run on the track.
The Stuarts also have a three-year-old by Sportswriter, a two-year-old by Sunshine Beach and a yearling by Sweet Lou from the broodmare gem.
Stuart expects more wins to come from the trio when they hit the track.
“I like all of them.”
After her winning double of Tuesday, Stuart said it was likely Jass would be sent to stud for a late-season attempt at getting in foal this breeding season.
Stuart was not the only trainer to enjoy more than one success at Palmerston North on Tuesday.
Michael House produced yet another masterclass training performance at the Manawatu track when notching four wins.
House’s winning run started with Midnight In Memphis in race 1 and continued with Sir Brigadoon in race 3.
Warloch sat off the speed before producing a powerful finish to win Tuesday’s feature pace, the Taranaki Cup prelude.
House completed a quartet of wins when Johnny Mac won race 6.
