Queensland owner Rosario La Spina is a one eyed harness racing supporter.
La Spina, a world renowned Tenor, is also a harness racing tragic who thoroughly enjoys spending time at the racetrack with his family as much as singing on the world stage.
The Australian born Tenor of Sicilian descent is regularly at the races with his father Alf who breeds and races horses with Redcliffe based trainer Graham Seymour including the likes of The Archduchess, Armida and the aptly named Il Tenore to name just a few.
But, the La Spina’s may have unearthed another potential top liner in the shape of 3yo filly The Arch Nemesis.
A graduate of the 2011 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales at $20,000 from the Sydney session, the Jeremes Jet filly has returned in great style after an operation at the end of her rookie term.
“It was a fairly significant operation; Graham always said she had loads of ability but couldn’t work out why she kept making mistakes in her races. In the end, she had an eye infection and ultimately we had to have the nearside eye removed.” La Spina stated.
After a successful operation, the filly remained in Sydney after campaigning in feature events and was transferred to Seymour’s good friend in David Wilkins.
Wilkins, trains on the track at TABCORP Park, Menangle and is eligible for many futurity based events in Sydney making the decision to keep her based south of the border very easy.
So far in her 3yo campaign, The Arch Nemesis is unbeaten in all three starts to date including a career best performance at her most recent outing at TABCORP Park, Menangle in 1;55.4 on October 20.
“We’ve turned her out for a freshen up after her latest victory and then we will bring her back and set her for the classics, David has done an amazing job and he’s very happy to tackle the better races coming up.
The Gr.3 Raith Memorial followed by the Gr.1 NSW Oaks in February next year will be our first targets and then we will reassess after that. I think she deserves her chance at the better races on what she’s done so far this campaign.
What she lacks in size she makes up with courage, she hails from a strong family and we expect her to improve a little further so we’re willing to take a shot.”
And Wilkins believes the best is still yet to come.
“I’m really pleased with that the way she’s handled everything since the operation and her three wins have all been very impressive. She did take a while to adjust but the mental change has been quite obvious.” Wilkins said.
“Her second-up victory was probably her best and Robbie (Morris – driver) said she was very strong at the line, the natural improvement is still coming through. I’m expecting more improvement after a little spell because she’s still developing.
Obviously those better races will attract the better talent but this little filly keeps aiming up so that’s the direction we will head upon her return.”
The Arch Nemesis is also eligible for the Australasian Breeders Crown, Breeders Challenge plus the Bathurst Gold series.
So, if The Arch Nemesis lines up in any of the above mentioned features, expect La Spina to sing her home – one eyed or not.
By Chris Barsby
