1. MISTERO, m.gr. by Portrait Gallery out Miss Marisa, by Beldale Flutter; Owner: Ligas – Scherillo; Breeder: Razza Emiliana, Trainer: G. Crivelli, Jockey: G. Ligas,
2. FALBRAV, m.b. by Fairy King out Gift of the Night by Slewpy; O.: Sc. Rencati; B.: Az. Agr. Francesca, T.:L. D’Auria, J.: M. Demuro,
3. BACIALE’, m.b. by Alzao out Couverture by Lear Fan; O.: S.I.B.A.; B.: All. Il Ronco; T. Dioscuri, J.: F. Jovine,
4. ROSA DI BREMA, f.b. by Lomitas out Oshima by Danehill; O.: Sc. Blueberry, B.: M. Fusi, T.: B. Grizzetti, J.. M. Esposito.

Also run: Uccellone, Scapolo, Mister Approval, Mc. Grath, Panzarotto Mio.

Distances: neck, 2 length and half, 2 length and half, 3 length. Time: 1.56.70

Analysis

At the end of a long and charming duel with Falbrav in the last two furlongs, MISTERO won the Premio Guido Berardelli (ex Tevere). But it is to underline that the winner was one of the heroes of the race, from the start, at first behind the startling leader Panzarotto Mio, and then, in the straight, coming off in the half-track, where the ground was better, taking a pair of length of advantage.

None of the day opponents, really not lofty, succeeded in following the leader closely, with the exception of Falbrav, who, just to the inside of Mistero, came near at the final furlong, so to pair him. But, at this moment, Falbrav stopped here; rather in the last falcades he surrendered to a stronger antagonist, remaining back by a neck.

Third, detached, was the favourite (at pair) Bacialé who, however, ran and won only four days before at Milan the Premio Campobello, a listed on the long distance (for two years old !!!) of 1800 metres, made more tiring by a very muddy ground. In fourth place, completing the good result of the Milan training (but defeated by Mistero, in training at Roma, Capannelle) arrived Rosa di Brema, an interesting filly prospect for the year 2001, being by classic German sire Lomitas out one of the best female lines developed in Italy in these last decades, from which came down the classic winners Orsa Maggiore (Oaks d’Italia, Gran Premio di Milano, Premio Roma, all Gr.1 races) and Orange Bay (Derby Italiano, then important winner in England).

Mistero, bred by Razza Emiliana (Emiliana Stud) one of the best commercial studs in Italy, was purchased yearling at A.N.A.C. Qualified Sale in Milan for 17 millions Italian Lire (a moderate price), without too many genealogic or morphologic investigations; in fact the owner’s daughter wanted a grey colt … and Mistero was “a fine grey… and I purchased him” said the owner, jockey and vice-trainer Giuseppe Ligas, a Sardinian who came to Roma thirty years ago.

Mistero is by far the best son of his sire, Portrait Gallery, who in turn is by the omnipresent Sadler’s Wells. Trained by Vincent o’Brien, who with him closed his excellent career, Portrait Gallery won 3 races in Ireland from 2 to 4 years and placed 2nd in the Blandford Stakes, Gr.2 at The Curragh. He is full brother of El Prado (group 1 winner in USA and successful sire) and half brother of Entitled (champion 3 y.o. in Ireland) and was purchased for 92.000 Guineas at the 1994 December Sales; he has been already re-exported to Ireland for the covering season 2000, used for National Hunt mares.

Mistero’s mother, Miss Marisa, was not a very good winner, and up to now, is the mother of moderate winners, the best being Trinidad, first product, by Tibullo, an Italian sire, winner of the Premio A.N.A.C., Restricted to Italians. She was imported yearling from Ireland by Scuderia Lady M (Lady M Stable) as a consequence of the excellent results of his half-brother Don Orazio, winner of the Derby Italiano and of the Premio Emanuele Filiberto, Gr.2, 2nd in the Gran Criterium and in the Gran Premio d’Italia, both Gr.1 races, then sire of very moderate success.

Many sons of Debutante, grand-mother of Mistero, were imported to Italy, whether before Miss Marisa(more than Don Orazio, Priory Park) or after (Donna Logan, 1989 by Wassl; Les Boyer, 1991 by Midyan, winner of the Premio Emilio Turati, Gr.2, of the Prix Tantieme, listed, 2nd in the Premio Ribot, Gr.2, sire; and Warr Hall, 1994, by Warrshan, four times winner from 2 to 4 years, 3rd in the Premio dei Tre Anni, Main Handicap). This is a clear proof of the interest Italian owners have had for this female line of family 1, from which descends also Swiss Maid, winner of Champagne Stakes, Gr.1 and Sun Chariot Stakes, Gr.2.

The general sensation is however that of a sub-standard edition of the Premio Guido Berardelli, the winner being only the best in the field, in this occasion; the classic season of 2001 will explain if Mistero and his opponents are better than how they are supposed to be today.

Roma, November 7, 2000

(Leonello Falco)