Legarto gives her rivals windburn in first-up return at Ellerslie
Legarto
It may have only been a race on a Sunday worth NZ$65,000 but all eyes were on the Aotearoa Classic Preview at Ellerslie with Kiwi sensation Legarto ($1.75) returning and she didn't disappoint.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare was first-up since tackling last year's Golden Eagle and exploded in the straight to chalk up her eighth win from 11 starts.
Jockey Ryan Elliot legged aboard the classy galloper for the eighth time and was rapt with how she handled Ellerslie ahead of the $1m Aotearoa Classic on January 27.
Sunday was the first time racing took place at Ellerslie in close to two years.
"She is back and back big time"
Legarto gives them wind burn taking out the Aotearoa Classic preview@RyanEll98744011 | @highlineTbreds | @RichHillStudpic.twitter.com/fz5eMXTqmV
- TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) January 14, 2024
"She's jumped OK today and it was actually good for her as she was able to ping out the gates and put herself in the race," Elliot told Trackside NZ.
"She travelled up well enough, she hit a little flat spot as she can do but the way she's sprinted off that track is a great feeling.
"It was always the plan for her to come here and have a feel around. Have a look at the track and the way she's just bounced off that track today, the turn of foot was instant.
"She's still on the way up, this will prepare her nicely and she'll be peaking at the right time.
"I thought if he (Sacred Satono) quickens up well that he might be hard to pick up but she's bounced off that track magnificently and she's in a great way."
One punter was confident in Legarto making a winning return as a bet of $35,000 at $1.75 was taken.
She proved too sharp for in-form galloper Sacred Satono while multiple Group 1 winner Sharp 'N' Smart ran on well for fourth after there was some concern following a lacklustre trial.
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