Art Of Shengi Li, who came from the clouds to capture a heat of the Harness Breeders Victoria Matriarch at Melton last Saturday night, is giving Romsey breeder-owner Elizabeth Ferrinda an enjoyable introduction to harness racing.
A former Vicbred and Breeders Crown finalist, the five-year-old mare has won 10 races and has been six times placed – twice at Group/Listed level - from 40 starts to date for $75,910 in stakes.
“We bought her dam Sheng Li for $3,000 at the Soho Standardbreds reduction sale at Toolern Vale seven years ago,” respected trainer and Ferinda’s partner Vince Vallelonga, said.
“She’s the first horse Elizabeth has ever owned.
“Being from a D M Dilinger mare, we sent Sheng Li to Art Major to duplicate the cross of Major Crocker, who I trained for most of his career.”
Unfortunately, Sheng Li died the year after foaling Art Of Sheng Li from a suspected snake bite. She had left earlier winners in Parramatta, a multiple winner on the NSW country cups circuit, the Albion Park winner Soho Shanghai, Svensson and Heza Braxton.
Vallelonga described Art Of Sheng Li’s performance at Melton last weekend as being “full of merit” and is hoping that she can acquit herself well in the Group 3 $30,000 Matriarch Final at Melton on Saturday night.
“She’s an honest, strong staying mare who always does her best,” Vince stated.
Vallelonga and Ferrinda are now breeding from Fire Safe, a nine-time winning daughter of Courage Under Fire.
“She’s in foal to Lather Up and is due in October,” Vince said.