Plans for Brisbane colt Maestro Bellini to tackle the Victoria Derby have been shelved.
The Bettors Delight – Santuzza three-year-old tasted defeat for the second time this campaign at Albion Park yesterday (Tuesday) when overpowered late by Three Of The Best and Bet Im Special in the Burwood Stud Pace in a time of 1:55.9.
Originally, trainer/driver Chris Petroff planned on heading south tomorrow (Thursday) in preparation for the heats on Saturday week at TABCORP Park, Melton while the $200,000 final is scheduled for the following week.
“I think the Melbourne feature has probably come up a little quick for us so in the best interests of the colt, we’ll stay home and aim now for the NSW Derby next month.” Petroff said.
The $200,000 NSW Derby is scheduled for February 25, the heats taking place a week earlier.
Petroff will continue to work on the fitness levels of Maestro Bellini in readiness for the Sydney feature while racing him will also strip the weight.
The chunky colt finished third in his first start back ten days earlier after sitting without cover before being bombed late by Sombronskisomwhere and Statement Made in a time of 1:56.7.
“He came back in very good order from his break and really enjoyed his time out, being a colt and by Bettors Delight he’s obviously going to take some work to reach peak fitness. Both runs have been solid but probably not good enough for a series like the Victoria Derby.
“He had two very quiet trials plus finding suitable races hasn’t been ideal but we’ll move on and hopefully he’ll be cherry ripe for the Sydney campaign, it’s a long season and he’s staked for many of the major events so we’ll use this time wisely.
“I know he’s good enough, his record proves that and he’ll get his chance throughout the season. The good thing is that he’s come through the race well and we’ll just keep pushing on with him.”
Maestro Bellini is raced by his breeder, Alf La Spina and his family.
Back in 2013, the La Spina family got close to winning the Victoria Derby when their pacer Caesar Augustus ran a terrific third behind Ohoka Punter and Guaranteed.
