Cerato came to Forbury Park last night to learn more about racing - but left a winner.
The McArdle 3yr-old was having his first race-day start last night, with just four trials under his belt, and co-owner/breeder Syd Brown was not expecting much from the gelding going into the 2200m mobile pace.
''We weren't expecting too much of him because he came to the trials a couple of weeks ago and he ran off at the bend.''
Jonny [Cox, driver/co-trainer] said it was far better to come out in a field and get the experience than going back to the trials so that's the reason we lined up today.''
Cerato is the second foal out of Special Answer, owned by Brown and his wife, Shona. Special Delight (1 win) is the eldest product of Special Answeron.
Adore Me was back at her record-smashing best in the group 3 Northern Breeders Stakes at Alexandra Park last night.
The New Zealand Cup winner worked to the lead from her second-line draw to take over the lead from stablemate Willow with 1200m to go.
She held off her rivals to stop the clock at 2.38.3 for the 2200m - a New Zealand record for fillies or mares.
The same record had been lowered to 2.38.7 just four races earlier by 3yr-old filly The Orange Agent.
Waikato driver Todd Mitchell became the 22nd driver in New Zealand to bring up 1000 wins when he steered Prime Power to victory at Alexandra Park.
Mitchell, who had his first win with Sue's Fortune in 1989, is a four-time winner of the New Zealand Cup.
