SILVANITO ROUNDS OFF SYNDICATOR’S BIG WEEK

IT wasn’t quite the “smashing” result expected!

But Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle still rounded off a great week for Australian Bloodstock at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

After favorite Smashing Time ($2.70), prepared at Kembla Grange by Rob and Luke Price, just missed clinching a city hat-trick when run down by Hawkesbury mare Dark Glitter in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m), the boot was on the other foot with Doyle’s Silvanito.

An $8.50 chance, Silvanito (Alysha Collett) took the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m), finishing too strongly for Frontex ($31) and $3 favorite Supermassive.

Hunter syndicator Australian Bloodstock scored with Poshy’s Girl and Agraffe Rocket at Newcastle last Saturday, and Miss Busslinger at the Kensington track midweek.

All three are trained by Kris Lees, whilst Doyle was given Silvanito to train after he was purchased online for $75,000 via Inglis Digital in November 2023 and syndicated.

The ex-Godolphin gelding has won twice in town for his new trainer; the first at Doomben in November last year in a Class 3 Plate.

But his record would be even better if some of his eight minor placings (six of them seconds) had turned into winners.

Doyle was confident the Shooting To Win six-year-old would be hard to beat after drawing the inside barrier.

“His first two runs back (third at Rosehill on May 30 and sixth at the same track a fortnight later) were excellent from wide barriers,” he told Sky Racing after the victory.

“Drawing the rails today, we felt he would get a nice run behind the leader (Supermassive).”

Meanwhile, Australian Bloodstock is looking to have another crack at winning this year’s Melbourne Cup with Irish-trained Al Riffa.

“It’s in the handicapper’s hands,” said director Jamie Lovett.

“If Al Riffa gets a suitable weight, we’re keen to bring him out for the Cup (to be run over 3200m at Flemington on November 3).

Al Riffa ran fourth to Scandinavia in the 4013m Ascot Gold Cup on June 18 at his latest assignment.

“His run was good in the circumstances, but he gave away too much start,” Lovett said.

“Al Riffa’s seventh to Half Yours (with 59kg) in last year’s Melbourne Cup was inconclusive.

“He drew off the track in barrier 19.

“If All Riffs gets the right weight, he will probably have one lead-up race, perhaps in the Prix Kergolay (3000m) at Deauville (France) in August.”

Al Riffa is currently on the third line of Melbourne Cup betting at $15 with TAB.com.au.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JULY 6, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS