Kentuckiana Lodge pacer Fernetti showed off his big staying motor with an impressive returning win at Addington on Friday night.
The three-year-old was roared home by his big group of owners as he dug in to score for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety and driver Carter Dalgety.
Fernetti impressed in his first racing campaign before being put aside after three starts for a well-deserved freshen up.
That short break has allowed the pacer to further develop physically, and the results were there for everyone to see on Friday night.
“He did a nice job winning his debut and then jumping up in grade to race better horses,” Cran said.
“We gave him a freshen up and he has really benefitted from it.”
“He is an improving type who has kept getting better.”
“With only four starts to his name there is no doubt that he is only going to keep getting better, too.”
Fernetti was having just his second start over 2600m on Friday night.
Despite being fresh up without the benefit of racing, like many of his rivals had, he produced an outstanding staying performance to win in a very respectable 3.11.9 time.
“Going into the race we were thrilled with the way he was working and hopeful he would run well,” Cran said.
“But with further improvement still to come from his fresh up run, we didn’t expect him to be quite so outstanding.”
“It was a tidy field and they had their shot at running him down and he outstayed them.”
“It was a thrill for us because the team that own him are racing him for the pure fun and excitement.”
“When they’re cheering at the top of their lungs, it is what the sport is all about.”
There is a little irony in Fernetti being a great staying type given he’s got an all American pedigree.
The pacer is by Sweet Lou from the Artsplace mare Goodlookin Chick, who won born and raced in New Zealand.
Fernetti was purchased by Kentuckiana Lodge at the National Yearling Sales before being syndicated among his great bunch of owners.
They include Harry Burns, Ben Wright, Logan Holland, Jack Smith and John Wright, as well as Carter, Chrissie, Laura and Maddie Dalgety.
Fernetti impressed his trainers as a young horse which led to Kentuckiana Lodge securing his half-sister Wallflower at last year’s National Yearling Sales.
The two-year-old filly has shown plenty of promise and is currently enjoying a freshen up herself.
