Due Calzini Rises to The Phoenix Challenge

Won by some handy 2YOs in the past such as future dual Group 1 winner Shadow Hero (Pierro), Saturday’s Listed Phoenix Stakes (1500m) is somewhat of a last opportunity for any juveniles seeing if the 1600m of the Gr1 JJ Atkins next Saturday will suit.

In recent years, the C J Waller-trained Political Debut won the Phoenix before a narrow second in the JJ Atkins, while Shadow Hero went on to finish fourth off the back of his Phoenix win.

While there is no clear standout on form, one runner who creates plenty of intrigue is the last start 1500m Goulburn winner Due Calzini (D’Argento-Terminally Pretty, by More Than Ready).

Trained by Daneille Seib, the 2YO is one of three first crop winners by his Bowness Stud-based sire, and interestingly, the Goulburn-trained gelding made his racetrack debut at Doomben in January where he charged home late over an unsuitable 1100m trip for third.

Really showing that the 1500m last start was what he needed to show his best, pulling away for a more than two length win, the $60,000 Magic Millions yearling sale graduate will jump from barrier 5 in the field of 14 with James Orman in the saddle.

Champion trainer Chris Waller has accepted with two runners, and although neither has tasted race day success as yet, both appear to have leading chances.

Raced by Star Thoroughbreds, Canara (I Am Invincible-Karavali, by Nadeem) has finished third at her latest two race day appearances, and two starts back over 1400m at Hawkesbury, the Amarina Farm-sold graduate ran on solidly, suggesting Saturday’s 1500m should really suit.

Copy: Black Type Racing

He had his first start in Brisbane when third as an odds-on favourite at Doomben and pulled up with the thumps. Off the scene for nearly two months, he failed at Newcastle and was given another couple of months to mature, then finished second at Wagga on May 2.

Bred by Bowness Stud and offered in their draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Due Calzini was a $60,000 purchase for his trainer.

He is the second winner from as many to race for the winning More Than Ready mare Terminally Pretty.

A daughter of the American stakes-winner and Grade 1-placed Moon de French (Malibu Moon), Terminally Pretty has a yearling brother to Due Calzini, who was passed in short of his $60,000 reserve at the Inglis Classic.

Not served in 2022, Terminally Pretty revisited D’Argento last spring.

Bowness Stud has set the fee for D’Argento at $16,500 for the forthcoming season.

Copy: Breednet