Months of special care paid off when Rondinella not only returned to the racetrack, but put in an outstanding effort to win the $22,500 Signature Homes (Rating 65) over 1400 metres on Saturday.
The four-year-old has been held in high regard by trainer Roger James since breaking through maiden ranks, but suffered a terrible hoof injury in February and has been off the scene since.
Despite a nine month layoff, punters remembered her ability and sent her $4.10 favourite. The first half of the race was cosy enough for rider Vinnie Colgan after they broke from the inside alley to find themselves nicely nestled on the fence, but soon found traffic problems halfway down the straight. The pair weaved through the opposition to hit the lead near the 200m mark and fight off the late finish from Honesty (R.Elliot) to win by a nose. Marissa (A.Calder) was a length and a half back in third.
“It’s great to have her back,” Colgan said.
“Obviously she wasn’t meant to win - fit-wise but class got her to the line.”
Colgan gave special praise to Luke Pertab from Auckland Equine and Rehabilitation.
“She’s been out a while after a horrific hoof injury, so special mention to Luke and his team with her rehabilitation.”
“When she won her maiden at Tauranga in her first campaign we thought she could be quite special, but things didn’t work out at the end of that campaign. Her injury might be a blessing in disguise going forward,” Colgan said.
Rondinella’s winning time was 1:22.90 (last 600m in 35.29) on a Good3 track.
“It was a super effort from her,” co-trainer Robert Wellwood said.
“She was very good and hit the line strongly late, so there would be improvement in her.”
“The 1400m is short of her best but it’s great to have her back in such great condition and winning so well,” Wellwood said.
“We’ll enjoy this and look forward to her future,” he added.
The daughter of Ocean Park was bred by G J Cranny, Frantic Bloodstock Ltd & Haunui Bloodstock Ltd.
Her second win from five starts takes her stakes past $25,000 for owners Mrs C Franich & Haunui Bloodstock Ltd.
