RISING GOSFORD STAR READY FOR CITY TEST

GOSFORD’S talented four-year-old Ferinzo is ready to take the next step and make his city debut.

Trainer Jake Hull this morning confirmed the next target for the lightly-raced gelding following his impressive performance at his home track.

Ferinzo’s career was put on hold because of a fractured pelvis, but he is now the winner of three of his four starts – and unbeaten from two so far this campaign.

A $2.10 favorite, Ferinzo defeated recent debut city winner Astronomix ($2.50) fair and square in the CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

And his trainer was even more pleased that multiple Group 1 winning jockey Josh Parr has been aboard the gelding in his two recent victories; the first at Newcastle’s Beaumont track on January 15 in a Class 1 Handicap (1150m).

“Josh and I are cousins, so it’s very special to have him associated with Ferinzo and doing such a good job on him,” Hull said.

“Ferinzo is still not the finished product, but Josh said he was better yesterday, though still do a couple of things wrong.

“It’s definitely exciting for the future.”

Hull said Ferinzo finished all his dinner last night after settling back in to his stable and, provided he continues to please, will head to town for a Canterbury night meeting on February 20.

“There’s a Benchmark 72 Handicap over 1250m, and the extra distance is definitely going to be favorable.

“Ferinzo is not a 1000m or 1100m horse. He is going to relish 1400m for sure.

“He is a lovely animal and is winning these shorter races because of his class.”

Hull has liked Ferinzo, who fetched $190,000 as a 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling and is raced by a large syndicate including his biggest clients, Gosford Race Club vice-chairman Michael Griffiths and Feale Park’s John O’Connor, from Day 1.

The Cosmic Force gelding won the Springboard To Fame 2YO Plate (1175m) at Grafton’s July carnival, and Hull set his sights on winning his home track Guineas (1200m) as a three-year-old.

In his trainer’s words, he went like a rocket winning his first trial back at Hawkesbury in November, but then went poorly at his second trial at Rosehill Gardens.

That was totally out of character, and Hull knew something was wrong. A subsequent scintigraphy scan revealed Ferinzo had suffered a fractured pelvis.

After 18 months away from racing when he should have been learning his craft, he made a winning comeback at Newcastle last month; a wonderful tribute to all concerned with the gelding’s rehab and recovery.

Hull hasn’t altogether ruled out a crack at the approaching Provincial-Midway Championships, but understandably wants to first get his Canterbury mission out of the way.

“Provided he runs as well as I expect he will in town, then the PMC series is something we will surely have to consider,” he said.

. Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has planned a two-start campaign for his classy three-year-old Rivellino against his own age leading up to a Group 1 assignment.

Rivellino (Jason Collett) begins a new campaign at Royal Randwick tomorrow in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).

“It’s obviously going to be a tough task first-up from his awkward draw against the likes of the favorite Tempted (runner-up in The Everest last October),” Lees said today.

“But I’m really happy with how Rivellino is progressing.

“I want to see him finish the race off well tomorrow.

“All going well, he will run next in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens in a fortnight.

“That will top him off for the Randwick Guineas (1600m) another fortnight later on March 7.”

The Guineas – which Lees won with Le Romain in 2016 and very nearly with Invincible Gem the following year – carries a $1m purse.

Rivellino will be Lees’ sole metropolitan representative tomorrow.

He has withdrawn noted first-up performer Cloudland from the Open Handicap (1200m) at Doomben.

“I wasn’t altogether happy with his draw, and decided not to send him to Queensland,” Lees said.

“Most likely he will resume at Randwick next Saturday.”

Cloudland, who won the annual greys’ race at the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington in 2024, has won four of his eight starts when resuming.

He has also been placed on three other occasions when fresh.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, FEBRUARY 6, 2026 - BRADLEY PHOTOS