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Report From Italy Tissot Seeking Milan Gold Cup By DESMOND McGOWAN Out Rome Correspondent ROME, Italy.— With the Derby due to be run during the week, there were no outstanding races of any importance over the week end and most interest was centered on the Razza Dof-mello - Olgiatas four-year-old Tissot who made his third appearance of the season in the 15 furlongs Premio Goria at San Siro. The race was in the nature of a winding up gallop for Sundays Milan Gold Cup, and although he had noth ing to beat, the manner of his winning convinces the writer that there is not another four-year-old in Europe who will trouble the son of Tenerani and Tiepoletta over a mile and a half or more this year. Tissot was accompanied by his stable-mate, the five-year-old Audran who was unable to run in 1956 owing to a split pastern. The only other opponent was the Razza di Rozzanos good four-year-old colt Zarese who had won over the distance the previous week and who was in receipt of five pounds from Tissot. The track was once more on the heavy side and for the first 10 furlongs Camici took a strong hold and let Tissot trail Zarese and Audran. As they swept into the final bend with five furlongs to go, Tissot passed the leaders and in a magnificent spurt he was 10 lengths clear L with slightly less than half a mile to I cover. Never slackening speed, Tissot was l half a furlong in front at the wire and j Camici kept him going at the same pace I until he had covered an extra two fur-! longs as part of his preparation for to- morrows distance event over 2i miles. In addition to the home-trained entries who include Magabit, Zarese, Barba Toni and Derain, the French have nominated such outstanding stayers as Bewitched, En-fin, Claudion HI, Starfire, Ambiax and Polar. Ugo Penco is hoping and praying that at least one of them will make the journey to give him a line on how Tissot might perform when sent to Ascot. Tissot is so far ahead of anything in Italy that we j think the French may have caught on and i we shall be very much surprised if there I are any foreign invaders left in at the final i forfeit. Tissot is fulfilling Donna Lydia Tesios prediction that he would make up into a crack four -year-old and his style of running follows closely in the footsteps of his great sire, Tenerani who was good ! enough to beat Black Tarquin over one J and a half miles and the Ascot Gold Cup winner Arbar at a mile further. It may not be without significance that Tissot has been entered for the 4,-000 Premio Presidente della Repubblica for three-year-olds and upwards over 12 furlongs on May 30. None of the stables three-year-olds have been entered and Ugo Penco may be trying to prove a point he held with Ribot last year. Penco always contended that he could have won the Ascot Gold Cup with Ribot and then sharpened him up for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes the following month. Always an optimist when local horses have international aspirations, we think Penco might have his eye on both the Ascot races providing Tissot shows he can revert to the shorter distance. Tenerani could do it and we see no reason why Tissot cannot follow suit. Roman Forum: Owing to the lease having expired, Rome is to lose her trotting track at the Villa Gloria but plans are going ahead for an up-to-date stadium to be completed by the 31st December, 1959. . . . The four-year-old Hidalgo has been suspended until May 15 due to refusing to start in his last two races. . . . His owner Ing. Nico Castellini recently celebrated his Golden Anniversary. . . . Count Neni Da Zaras four-year-old Talismano won his fifth straight when he took the 12 furlongs Premio Ellington at Capannelle. One of the best mile and a quarter horses in Italy, he has been entered for the Milan Gold Cup. We dont know why and can only add that if his connections run him for this severe event, then they dont deserve to own a good horse. . . . Italian bloodstock received a further boost with the win of Crepello in the English 2,000 Guineas. His sire was the Tesio-bred Dona-tello n. . . . Two-year-olds made their debut at the Capannelle this week but the only ones on view were selling class. . . . Dormellos two-year-old Tommaso da Mo-dena is expected to be one of the cracks this year and we hear he is coming quickly to hand. . . . The same can also be said for the Razza del Soldos Goyama colt, Filogeo, who we took a particular liking to when we saw him at Barbaricina in February.
