Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
In what could be her swansong in New Zealand, class mare Legarto (Proisir) put in her best performance at Ellerslie when she stormed home to collar a game Waitak and claim the Gr. 1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.
It made for a welcome change of luck for trainers Ken and Bev Kelso who had to endure the nightmare scenario of their sprinter Alabama Lass crashing through the running rail when set for victory in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) two races earlier.
Bidding for successive weight-for-age triumphs after taking out the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) a month earlier, punters were prepared to disregard Legarto’s seemingly average race record of just one win from six starts at Ellerslie by installing her the $2.30 favourite in the contest.
Rider Opie Bosson was content to sit back on the daughter of Proisir, allowing Aussie raider Kingswood to set a steady pace in front before moving into contention from the 600m.
Kingswood went for gold on the corner but was quickly headed by Waitak, who looked set for victory at the 150m before Bosson and Legarto appeared out wide and charged after him.
Bosson timed his run nicely as the mare hit the line a head to the good of Waitak as Tuxedo stormed home late to take third ahead of Jaarffi.
Kelso was grateful his day had turned around, reporting that Alabama Lass had come through her mishap with no major injuries while praising his middle-distance champion, Legarto.
“It is really what they call the ups and downs of racing after what happened in the sprint,” Kelso said.
“I’m very proud of this mare as she is one out of the box and a horse you only get once in a lifetime.
“Bev and I have been very fortunate to have had her.
“It’s quite an emotional win as it is probably the last time you will see her on a New Zealand race track.
“Alabama Lass is fine, just a bit stiff and sore obviously and with a wound high up on her back, but she can go out for a spell now.”
Kelso admitted he didn’t have any real concerns during the race, even when he felt Legarto may have a been positioned a little far back at one point.
“I thought she was a fair way from them and had a bit of work to do, but she was always going to show her turn of foot,” he said.
“We are going to talk to Phillip Brown (part-owner) and the connections as the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) is an option for her.
“I think people may have forgotten how good she is, but she now has five Group One wins.”
Legarto was bred by Warwick Jeffries and was offered by Highline Thoroughbreds during Book 2 of Karaka 2021, where part-owner Phillip Brown purchased her under his Ancroft Stud banner for $90,000.
During her 24-start career, Legarto has recorded 12 wins and five placings with five of those wins at Group One level including the 2023 Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Saturday’s victory took her career earnings past $3.16 million.
