Robert Hickmott believes Talenti (NZ) (Niagara) has black type quality after winning his second Australian race from as many starts on Saturday.
The New Zealand-bred four-year-old gelding came from last in a small field to win over 1500 metres at The Valley, as per his local debut 15 days earlier at Class 1 level.
“He’s only had five starts and is doing things for his experience that are definitely above average,” Hickmott said.
Talenti ($2.10 favourite) looped the field under Barend Vorster en route to his 1.75-length victory, with Manhattan Arch ($5) runner-up for the second time back from an 80-week break between starts.
Talenti raced three times in New Zealand for one win, a maiden victory at Hastings in May, before being transferred into Hickmott’s care by owner and breeder Trish Dunell.
“They’ve got a lot of wet tracks in New Zealand so they wanted to give him a chance on top of the ground with the better prizemoney available,” Hickmott explained.
“He’s a very talented horse that’s lightly raced and did a few things wrong down the side of the course, tossing his head up a couple of times.
“There’s no doubt he’ll get to 2000 metres easily in time, we’ll let him go through his classes. “We could give him a little break now and take him up to Queensland for a little trip away as well.”
