QUELLO WEATHERS THE SALE STORM 

Horrific weather conditions including high winds, teeming rain and mud could not stop Quello Dorato from breaking through for his maiden win at Sale on Wednesday. 

The half-brother of Bella Nipotina gave the Danny O'Brien stable a nice boost ahead of a huge weekend in Queensland, with the victory.

The son of Trapeze Artist, who placed in his first two starts before having nearly a year off, relished the Heavy track and rise to 1429m second-up.

Zac Spain gave Quello Dorato a perfect trail in the one-out, one-back spot and the four-year-old moved up powerfully in the testing conditions to put the race away.

The win was a special one for the stable given the gelding has been nursed back from tendon injuries earlier in his career. 

"The staff at our stable and the staff at Michael Christian's Longwood Thoroughbreds should be very proud of today's result as much hard work and persistence has led to getting him back to the track and performing," O'Brien said.

Quello Dorato shares many of the same owners as his superstar older sister, who earned more than $18 million in 57 starts, most of them for Ciaron Maher.

Spain, who had been aboard for the well-related gelding's jumpouts and first-up sixth placing this campaign, said his mount sailed through the wet ground and was much better suited up in trip.

"I was lucky I was sitting in the one-one, he travelled good," he said.

"The wind really picked up, the rain's picked up and even though I sat fourth, the visibility wasn't too good.

"(But) he got through the Heavy no worries. He sort of came off the bridle when they really sort of quickened up at the 600m … knowing my bloke, I know he just likes to build through his gears.

"Once we balanced up, he was really good through the line. He was pricking the ears up and getting blown around, so he did a great job."

Recently luckless stablemate Wollemia Angel ($8.50) battled on to grab third, marking a very successful race for O'Brien ahead of a big Saturday at Eagle Farm, where Grinzinger Belle will contest the Group 1 Tatt's Tiara and Brave Design the Listed Tatt's Stakes.

Story by Darcy Cosgriff for Racing.com

Pic by Racing Photos