Petrucci kicked off her new racing campaign in impressive fashion at her home track of Matamata, New Zealand on Saturday.
The talented daughter of I Am Invincible was resuming after a successful three-year-old season, where she secured victory in two of her four starts and finished as the runner-up in the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) in her last outing of the previous term.
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were pleased with Petrucci’s first-up performance.
Bergerson commented, “Vinnie (Colgan, jockey) managed to get her settled well enough, he presented her at the right time and she was really strong through the line. It was a really impressive victory. We thought she could be a bit vulnerable first-up, but it was a really strong effort.”
Jockey Vinnie Colgan, who piloted Petrucci to a 1.75-length victory, also shared his thoughts on the race.
He noted, “I drew badly (12), but things panned out quite nicely over the first furlong and a half (250m) and she ended up getting quite a nice run.
“I wanted to get her rolling, and she was running through the line pretty strongly. She showed a bit last season, and I think they were expecting a good run today.”
Petrucci’s journey in racing began when she was purchased by owners Brent, Cherry Taylor, and Faith Taylor of Trelawney Stud for A$450,000 at Segenhoe Stud‘s 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The owners aimed to see her perform on the racetrack before considering her for a spot in their high-quality broodmare band.
Brent Taylor shared his perspective on Petrucci’s development, saying, “She matured nicely for the break.
“We’ve raced a few of these I Am Invincible fillies and mares, and not many of them are early maturing two-year-old types. Most of them are progressive mares, like the stablemate Imperatriz, in Melbourne at the moment, and Vamos Bebe of ours who had her best years at four and five.
“Hopefully, this mare will progress along similar lines and as a speed mare, can keep finding the right races for her.
“It may be that we don’t see the best of her until next season, who knows. I was pretty impressed with her win as she had to overcome the draw, and Vinnie rode her very well.”