Selino wins A$2m Group 1 Sydney Cup

The former European-trained Selino - part-owned by Qatar Racing - won his first race in Australia on Saturday, the Gr.1 Sydney Cup at Randwick.

Selino, who carried the Qatar Racing colours into the runner-up spot in the Gr.2 Doncaster Cup last September when trained by James Fanshawe, got off the mark for Chris Waller in Australia in remarkable fashion on Saturday.

Despite being sent off at 25/1, Selino was able to tank through the race and come from the rear to first, despite also going wide on the final bend. Jockey Ron Stewart was wearing the colours of our main partner in the horse, OTI Racing.

OTI's Terry Henderson said after the race: "Selino was a great acquisition for our owners who were initially offered a Sydney Cup prospect and it was an enormous thrill to be able to have his connections from not only OTI but also those involved in the horse via Chris Waller there on the day to see it come to fruition.‚"

Chris Waller added: "‚"He (Selino) was sent to me in very good form. They (the owners) might've lost a bit of confidence in me when they saw him going around and running in 2000m races, 2600m races. But we've said all along stick to the confidence of running in this race. He's an extreme distance horse, and he certainly showed it today."

Selino hit the line with a length and a quarter to spare over mare Rondinella, who was the same distance ahead of third Miami Bound. Further back in the field were former European-trained horses Southern France and Spirit Ridge, as well as the William Haggas-trained Favorite Moon who'd the Gr.3 Manion Cup last month.

Selino was bought privately by Qatar Racing prior to his return in 2020, when he finished second in the inaugurual Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot. He's a strong stayer and the Sydney Cup was the longest distance he's tackled Down Under - let's hope he can continue his progress all the way to the Melbourne Cup in November!