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First winner for Puccini; Savabeel gelding set for Australian debut;

First winner for Puccini

Mapperley Stud stallion Puccini sired his first winner at Rotorua on Tuesday when Giacomo won the Lance Lawson (1560m) for trainer Peter McKay.

It was fitting that Puccini's first winner was trained by McKay, with the Matamata horseman overseeing his racing career, where he won eight races including the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m).

It was Giacomo's third raceday start on Tuesday and he relished the step up in distance and the firmer track on offer at Rotorua.

"It was a good tough win, he switched off throughout the race beautifully, when he hit the front he looked around and waited for them a bit, but was strong through the line," McKay said.

"I think he will stick at a mile next time out, but I would like to see him in better company over Christmas time in those 2000m three-year-old races, he still holds a nomination for the Derby." 
Mapperley Stud principal Simms Davison was delighted to watch Puccini record his first win as a sire.

"We are thrilled to see Puccini get his first winner, and the fact Peter trained it makes the win even better. He's always had a decent opinion of the Puccinis in his stable," Davison said.

"We always knew that they were going to be three-year-olds that would only get better later in the season. Puccini was most effective on a good track and we really saw him at his best over the mile-plus trip." 

Puccini stands at Mapperley Stud for a fee of $3,000+GST.

 Savabeel gelding set for Australian debut

Kiwi import Witsabouthim is set to make his debut for the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable on Saturday.

The four-year-old Savabeel gelding recorded two wins from three starts in New Zealand from the stable of Tony Pike and will make his first appearance across the Tasman in a benchmark 78 event over a mile at Ballarat.

"He is going to be a horse that will get out over further but it will be a nice kicking off point for him," Busuttin said. "

They were average maiden races (in New Zealand) so it will be a jump up to 78 grade at what is classed as city meeting here.

"I think he will be a very nice horse once he gets out over 2000m or even further to a mile and a half.
"He doesn't appear to have much tactical speed so I'm picking he will get back and be finishing very strongly."

Witsabouthim steps out on Saturday in the silks of prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir with several of the original entities remaining in the ownership group since his private sale.

"The guys, Ozzie and John (O'Neill), seem to know where to find them and he appeared and rated very well on their rating system," Busuttin said. "I'm certainly happy enough to go along with them and to have the horse in the stable."