Kanas Mtoto looked a likely type winning Belmont and Ascot 2yo barrier trials in May 2025 but it took two stable changes and almost twelve months before he surfaced for an encouraging victory at Pinjarra on Wednesday.
Facing the starter for just the third time in the Swan Draught Maiden (1200m), the Summer Dickson-trained gelding jumped in front for Holly Nottle before taking a sit behind Knight Admire (My Admiration).
Nottle attempted a rails run inside the leader at the 300m mark but the gap closed and she was forced to angle off the fence into clear running for Kanas Mtoto. He picked up and responded to establish a winning margin that was cut back to a half-length by late closer Special Counsel (Star Witness).
“He won in impression fashion at his second start for the stable after a big run first-up,” Dickson said. “He’s still very green and learning his trade but ‘Rosko’ has a lot of upside. A big thank you to the crew and to Holly for a gun ride.”
Kanas Mtoto is a son of Rangeview Stud resident Long Leaf and went out a $2.50 favourite after motoring home behind Joyoh (Awesome Rock) when resuming from a long spell at Belmont last month. He was beaten a half-length in a four-horse finish despite laying in for the length of the straight.
He’s the first foal from Beauty Kanas (So You Think) and her second and final foal is a 2yo filly by Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock) with Darryl Jeffries.
Beauty Kanas was a Randwick winner for David Payne before transferring west to win twice at Ascot for Stephen Rowe. She’s closely related to the Group 1 siblings Shogun Lodge (AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes & Epsom Hcp), Singing The Blues (VATC Oakleigh Plate) and Referral (STC George Ryder Stakes).
Wednesday’s win was the first in a week that also saw Long Leaf score with Archenemy & Flaming Ronda (Thursday), Ourgirlcanrun & Longtimebeliever (Saturday) and Buon Amici (Sunday). Rangeview Stud’s Rob and Jody Gray also bred and sold Fatty Finn (Maschino) to claim his maiden in Victoria two hours before Kanas Mtoto saluted at Pinjarra.
