Freshman’s impressive career start

CREATING a buzz with an impressive trial last week, Soho Bellagio lived up to the hype with a brilliant debut today.

Winning his hit out in 1:53.9 at Club Menangle on August 8, Soho Bellagio notched an official time of 1:53.1 under race conditions.

Thrilled with the two-year-old’s performance, trainer Michael Stanley has already set his sights on an interstate campaign with Soho Bellagio.

“It’s still only early days with him, but everything he has done suggests he is a very nice type,” Stanley said. “I believe he can keep improving and go a long way.

“He’s eligible for the Vicbred Super Series, which starts in a few weeks, so that is the way we are heading.”

With Stanley in the cart, Soho Bellagio was never seriously challenged as he led throughout to score by 24-and-a-half metres from Luciendo Bien.

Exceptionally-bred freshman Wildfire Stride was a metre-and-a-half away third.

“He did it very easily,” Stanley said. “I never pushed him at any stage and he did it all under his own steam.”

Stanley then completed a double after Soho Trump accounted for Uptown Chance and Opas Girl in 1:51.8 over a mile.

Last season’s Vicbred Super Series champion, Soho Trump will be taken down south to defend his title in the three-year-old division.

“He had a good break after the Bathurst Gold series and has come back in terrific shape,” Stanley said. “He’s going back for another shot at the Vicbred.”

• PAUL COURTS