Benefiting from a patient ride by Neil Callan, Pressing captured his first group I victory Nov. 4 in the Premio Roma (Ity-I) at Capannelle.
Previously campaigned in Italy, Pressing was purchased by Gary Tanaka in May and transferred to trainer Michael Jarvis in Newmarket. After unsuccessful forays in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Eng-I) and the Arlington Million (gr. IT), Pressing returned to the winner’s enclosure after a victory in the Premio Federico Tesio (Ity-III) Sept. 29 at San Siro. That race served as a strong prep for the Premio Roma.
Pressing, under a snug hold from Callan, raced in third as Vol de Nuit and Cherry Mix set a solid pace up front. The order remained unchanged until the field entered the straight. It was then that Callan let the reins loose a notch, and Pressing responded with a powerful move to the front with two furlongs left.
The result was never in question, as Pressing drew off to win comfortably by 1 1/2-lengths. Monachesi just got up for second, a nose in front of Boris de Deauville.
Time for the ten furlongs was 2:02.1 over the soft going.
Pressing is a 4-year-old bay colt by Soviet Star out of Rafif, by Riverman. He is bred similarly to multiple champion Sakhee and grade I winner River Memories, both of whom can be found in the female family of the Premio Roma victor.
