The 2021 European Horse of the Year, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is on the board with his first Australian stakes-winner after hot favourite Aristopolos kept his unbeaten record intact with an impressive win in the Listed Kevin Sharkie Elwick Stakes (1100m) at Hobart on Sunday.
Trained by John Blacker, the colt was an easy winner at his first two starts scoring at Launceston in early December and at the same venue on January 9.
Aristopolos was ridden again by Erica Byrne Burke and settled comfortably in fourth place in the run before powering into contention after turning for home.
He surged to the line and kept up a good gallop to win by more than a length over Tiger of Malay filly Momentslikethese and has now won over $160,000 from his first three starts.
A $60,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase for his trainer from the Armidale Stud draft, Aristopolos was also bred by Armidale Stud and is the second foal to race and second winner from stakes-placed Flying Krupt.
Aristopolos is the fourth stakes-winner worldwide, and first in Australia, for St Mark’s Basilica, whose best so far in the Northern Hemisphere is Group I winning filly Diamond Necklace.
St Mark’s Basilica had yearlings sell for up to $330,000 at Magic Millions this year and has good numbers for upcoming sales with 11 for Inglis Classic, 14 for Inglis Premier and six for Inglis Easter.
