After falling just short with Shesallshenanigans in the Cinderella Stakes, Sweteenham Stud’s Toranado struck with the favourite Beltoro in the Listed CS Hayes Memorial Cup (1600m) at Morphettville.
Ridden by Teo Nugent for Robert Hickmott, Beltoro staved off the onrushing Puissance De Lune (IRE) mare En Francaisby a half-neck. It was a further two lengths back to the Dark Valley mare Lacrima in third.
With his stakes breakthrough, the 5yo gelding advances his record to five four four from 27 starts with earnings of $479,075
Beltoro won his first two starts and finished sixth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas and Robert Hickmott revealed they received an offer of $1,200,000 from Hong Kong.
“He was very promising, and the owners turned it down, so hopefully, they have made the right choice,” Hickmott said.
“He has been a great horse for them and will continue to be.
“He is a very sound horse but does not like winter. He likes the hot season so we spell him through winter and bring him back in spring.
“That is his ninth or tenth run this time in. The Albury Cup could be a possibility, we will see how he pulls up.”
Bred by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds and Delbridge Racing, Beltoro is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the Zabeel mare Believabeel.
A $120,000 Easter yearling Believabeel finished seventh a Kyneton at her only start. She has a yearling colt by Needs Further and was covered by Nicconi last spring after missing in 2021.
Beltoro is the 32nd stakes-winner for Toronado (IRE), who covered 150 mares at Swettenham Stud last spring for a fee of $88,000.
