Bruno Cannatelli
Former Kiwi mare Our Malambo (NZ) (Duelled) has notched her second Australian victory from three starts with a strong win in the Dr Sheahan Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Previously prepared by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson in New Zealand, Our Malambo transferred to Chris Waller after failing to meet her reserve at the Gold Coast broodmare sale.
The four-year-old mare is part owned by Graeme Rogerson along with Gavin and Shane Wealleans.
Our Malambo had won four of her twenty starts in New Zealand for Rogerson and has made a strong start for the Waller stable, winning first-up at Randwick over (1200m), before finishing fourth at Rosehill over 1400m.
“She probably just found the 1400m a little bit far the other day, but she’s had a good break between runs and she seems to race quite well fresh and she is very effective at this trip (1200m),” winning jockey Ben Melham said.
“I wanted to be positive today and we ended up outside the leader without doing a lot of work. I got a little bit of pressure a bit earlier than I would have liked, but she had a good kick and it was a good strong win.
“They brought her down to Melbourne and she worked well here the other morning. The way she won, there will be plenty more wins in store for her.”
Our Malambo was bred by Rogerson and the victory was a boost for her dam, the well performed racemare Dancing Song, who has a date with multiple Group One winner and former champion European three-year-old Almanzor, who will commence stallion duties at Cambridge Stud later this year.
“I think it is a real coup that a horse of Almanzor’s quality is standing in New Zealand,” Rogerson said.
“We’re very excited to be sending Dancing Song to him as I think he has the potential to become a great stallion.” – NZ Racing Desk