'Trust' in Valentino Balducci

THE Tawny Syndicate have two lively contenders for classic trophies in their homebreds Valentino Balducci and Trust, with the former winning the Gr 3 TAB Starling Stakes on Saturday and the latter running a somewhat unlucky second in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes.

- DAVID THISELTON

Valentino Balducci was bred by Tawny Syndicate co-founder "JJ" van der Linden and is part-owned by him together with another Tawny Syndicate co-founder Larry Nestadt and also with Tawny Syndicate member Martin Lieveaux. Trust was bred by Larry Nestadt under the Tawny Syndicate banner and he part-owns him together with Gary Player and Ralphs Racing. The Valentino Balducci story started when Tawny Syndicate bought the Bosworth Farm Stud-bred Byword filly for R105,000 at the National Two-year-old Sale in 2016.

Goede Hoop

Goede Hoop was owned by "JJ" and Larry together with SM Nathan and CL Clucas. Trained by Robbie Sage, Goede Hoop, who was out of Fort Wood maiden Nautical, won four races from 1800m up to 2400m. Goede Hoop was sent back to Bosworth Farms Stud and covered by their underrated resident stallion Skit Skizzle, who is by the legendary Jet Master. The first foal was Gideon's Daughter, who is owned by Fellsmere Pty Ltd (Nom: Ms N Zwane) and trained by Alan Greeff. She won four times in the East Cape before fetching R10,000 at an August Online Sale this year, purchased by Leon Lotter.

Sage

Robbie Sage trains the second foal, Valentina Balducci, who is also by Skit Skizzle.