Looking the Part

Felice Villa’s Scuderia Effevi has a chance to finally snatch its first win in the G3 Premio Parioli (Italian 2000 Guineas) Sunday. The reigning Italian champion owner has won the Derby and the Oaks three times since 2007, and the Italian 1000 Guineas once, but the Parioli has been an elusive target. Hero Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) looked like an international prospect in his juvenile season, which was highlighted by an easy win in the G2 Gran Criterium. The colt returned three weeks ago in a conditions race over 1600 meters and was forced to a first defeat in the stewards room. A bit coltish in the saddling enclose and giving seven pounds to his rivals, bumped Pelandrun (Ity) (Gladiatorus) in the last 30 meters and crossed the line a quarter length in front, only to be disqualified. 

General Sherman (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is the fresh force of the race. The La Nuova Sbarra’s homebred, who opened his account in his second juvenile start, outbattled Clockwinder (Ire) (Intikhab) in his seasonal debut over 1600 meters at Capannelle, and stepped up to score by four lengths in the Listed Premio Gardone, a solid Parioli trial, at San Siro. Muqaawel (Daaher), a clever 15,000gns purchase at the Tattersalls horses in training sale last year, has changed gears since joining trainer Ana Imaz Ceca at San Sebastian in Spain. The colt, one for five in England, came back with a third in the Listed Prix De La Californie over the all-weather track at Cagnes Sur Mer, and outfinished the Group 3 scorer and G1 2000 Guineas candidate Ride Like The Wind (Ire) (Lope De Vega Ire) in a conditions race over the Deauville’s synthetic track.