Savabeel four-year-old Ravello returned to action in fine fashion at Warwick Farm to account for his rivals over 1300 metres.The Cambridge Stud graduate hadn’t raced since May, but trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton had him ready to star first-up and he duly obliged over a trip short of his best.“He’d had two strong trials and had a lovely run in transit, he’s always looked a horse that would get a mile and maybe 2000 metres,” Charlton said.Ravello lobbed along in third spot away from the fence for rider James McDonald and proved far too strong in the run home.It was his third victory from 13 appearances and wasn’t disgraced when tried in stakes company last season.“He was a bit stiff in the Gloaming and then lost his way a bit, but he’s always been a talented horse,” Charlton said.We raised and sold Ravello on behalf of breeder Max Whitby and the colt was purchased by bloodstock agent Bruce Perry from our New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft for $425,000.He is the first foal of the American-bred stakes performer Cover Charge, a daughter of Take Charge Indy who is from the family of the multiple Group 1 winners and influential sires Street Cry and Shamardal. The pedigree has previously made its mark in Australia as well through family member Thronum, the Group 2 winner of the Australia Stakes and a Group 1 placegetter.

Reigning Hong Kong champion trainer Francis Lui has opened his winning account this season with Matsu Victor overcoming a tough run to score at Happy Valley.Our homebred son of U S Navy Flag was parked three wide throughout over 1650 metres and still proved to strong for his Class 4 opposition.The patiently handled four-year-old was making his seventh appearance and his maiden success came off a previous runner-up finish over the course and distance in July.A quiet trial in between times had him in prime order to score in the hands of Vincent Ho.Matsu Victor was purchased out of our 2022 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 and is a half-brother to the multiple winner and G3 Wellington Stakes placegetter Divine Power.Their dam is the Zabeel mare Lazaan, who is due to foal again to U S Navy Flag, and she is a daughter of the three-time Group 1-winning Encosta De Lago mare Lashed.Shogun Lodge is another multiple top-flight winner on the pedigree page.

Durova looks a three-year-old to follow through her spring campaign following a stylish opening to her campaign at Bendigo.Our homebred daughter of Russian Revolution was presented in forward condition by master trainer Ciaron Maher to score over 1000 metres in the hands of Harry Coffey.Durova tucked in behind the pace on the fence and let down powerfully once into the clear 400 metres from home to open her winning account. The filly only made one appearance last season and was given a break after creditable debut seventh in the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Flemington.Durova was purchased out of our draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Maher for $250,000 and is the first winner for Aotearower.The daughter of Shamardal and the G2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic winner Kaatoon was a talented performer who won on four occasions and placed in the G3 Anniversary Handicap.Aotearower has an unraced juvenile filly by Spirit Of Boom who we sold for A$100,000 to Te Akau and Fortuna Racing at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale earlier this year and also has a yearling filly by Farnan and is due to foal to Sword Of State.