Four-year-old gelding Medatsu notched his fourth victory from 11 starts when running out a strong winner of the Vale John Nicholson Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained son of Staphanos has won three of his past five outings and is proving a good money-spinner for owners Luigi and Tony Muollo.
The New Zealand-bred galloper began his career in the Cambridge stable of Clinton Isdale, for whom he placed in three of his four starts including the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) as a late-season juvenile.
After wins at Rosehill and Randwick in August, Medatsu ventured to country cups at Wyong and Dubbo, where he finished sixth on both occasions.
Medatsu was given a beautiful ride by Kerrin McEvoy ,who notched an early double, and scored by just over half a length from Fay’s Angel and Mare Of Mt Buller.
“Things haven’t really gone his way in his way in the Wyong Cup (Listed, 2100m) and then he went out to Dubbo but he had the perfect run today and he was too good,” Waller said.
“These types of races are perfect for him and he has come a long way this preparation.”
An emotional Waller acknowledged the late administrator John Nicholson after whom the race was named.
“John Nicholson gave me the stables at Rosehill when I first came over so I am forever indebted to him,” Waller said.
Bred by Luigi Muollo’s Explosive Breeding Ltd, Medatsu is by Novara Park stallion Staphanos and is out of the Mastercraftsman mare Christine Ann. He is a half-brother to Listed winner Rocababy.
Medatsu has now won A$286,361 in prizemoney for connections. – NZ Racing Desk
