Racing: Basaltico makes his Sydney debut

SYDNEY: Former European stayer Basaltico is adapting well to the Australian lifestyle and will make his first Sydney appearance in the Ajax Stakes at Rosehill today.

A six-time winner in the Northern Hemisphere, Basaltico was brought to Australia by trainer Luca Cumani for last year's Melbourne Cup.

After a luckless seventh in the Geelong Cup he finished 18th in the Melbourne Cup and the decision was made by his new owners to keep him here.

After a stint at Lee Freedman's property in Victoria, Basaltico was sent to Guy Walter in Sydney and had his first start for the stable when an eye-catching seventh in the National Sprint (1400m) at Canberra on March 7 when he came from last on the turn.

"He ran extremely well at Canberra," Walter said on Wednesday.

- AAP