CANTARITO was second up this preparation when stepping up to 1,550 metres at Canterbury Park and the increased 250 metres distance from her first up run when she finished 4th was always going to be beneficial to the filly. The 3 year old daughter of Snitzel began well from the barriers with Kerrin McEvoy aboard and settled in the latter half of the field where she travelled comfortably throughout the early and middle stages of the race. Kerrin began to improve on the filly approaching the turn for home and once the pair balanced in the straight, CANTARITO built through her gears to reel in the leaders and hit the line strongly, swooping late for a winning stride right on the post.

Kerrin commented post race that it was “a nice effort…she found a good rhythm and was strong right to the end.” The manner in which CANTARITO finished off the race would indicate that she may get further, an idea which is strengthened when looking at her pedigree. Her dam Chocolate Martini (USA) was a consistent Oaks performer in America winning the Group 2 Fair Ground Oaks and running 3rd in the Group 1 Saratoga Oaks and the Group 2 Santa Anita Oaks.

CANTARITO was a 2023 Inglis Easter yearling purchase, alongside Randwick Bloodstock Agency, from the draft of Milburn Creek. Her ownership group took inspiration from her dam’s name Chocolate Martini when naming her and a Cantarito is a tequila based cocktail.

Congratulations to the winning CANTARITO owners Paramount Racing (Manager: Kathryn Wood), Paul Avery, David Grasso, CGO Racing, Mark Wedrat, Felgate Holdings (Manager: Paul Felgate), Martin Ive, McLeish Family Racing (Manager: David McLeish), Ray Aurisch, Philip Ward, Simon Dean, Murumba Racing (Manager: John Blight).