Former high-class three-year-old Lupo Solitario (NZ) announced his return to top company with a determined victory in Saturday’s Group Three Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie, reclaiming the spotlight after an eventful journey back from Hong Kong.
The time-honoured $150,000 feature added another notable chapter to the gelding’s story, taking his career tally to five wins from 17 starts and lifting his earnings to $302,468. Bred by Rich Hill Stud, he was offered through Book 2 of Karaka 2022, where he was purchased by Leighton Howl for $82,500.
Prepared at Matamata by Danica Guy, Lupo Solitario first made his mark two seasons ago when winning three races, highlighted by the Group Three Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), where he defeated subsequent multiple Group One performer Orchestral (NZ). He also filled the runner-up spot twice, including the Group Two Sarten Memorial (1400m).
Those early displays earned him an overseas move to Hong Kong, but the venture did not unfold as hoped. Across seven appearances he was unable to reproduce his New Zealand form, with a fall and recurring foot issues interrupting his progress. In a generous gesture, his Hong Kong owner returned the gelding to Guy, who patiently rebuilt him and restored his confidence.
That work was rewarded in one of Ellerslie’s oldest and most cherished races, first staged in 1874.
Ridden with greater intent than usual, Lupo Solitario travelled handily before asserting late to secure the Group Three prize in style.
Jockey Warren Pinn said the altered tactics proved decisive.
“He was really good,” Pinn said. “He usually likes to get back and run home, but we wanted to be a bit more positive today and it paid off. He was a little green and toyed with them a bit late, but I felt like there was a lot more there if I needed it.”
Trainer Danica Guy admitted the result carried special meaning after the challenges of the past year.
“That was wonderful,” she said. “I thought the track might be wetter than he’d like, so we decided to go to Plan B and ride him a bit more forward. He’s just such an honest and tough horse. He’s a proper racehorse.
“I’m so grateful to the Hong Kong owner for sending him back here and allowing me to be in this position with him. We all love him and we’re so lucky to have him in the stable.
“He was in a bad way when he came back from Hong Kong. A lot of work has gone into him, particularly with his feet, to get him back to where he is now.
“I think that might be it for him this season now. We can bring him back for Hawke’s Bay in the spring.”
The Lupo Solitario Easter Handicap win now stands as one of the most heartening New Zealand racing stories of the season, underlining both the gelding’s class and the patience behind his revival.
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