The Gr.2 Derby Italiano winner Biz The Nurse (Oratorio) showed that he could develop into a performer of international calibre witth a scintillating win in the Gran Gr.1 Premio Di Milano over 2400m yesterday at San Siro. The three-year-old faced only domestic opposition but was really impressive. Jockey Cristian Demuro allowed the colt to sit comfortably off the steady pace set by Wild Wolf(Rail Link). Biz The Nurse started his move from fifth place 600m from home and found extra in the last furlong, when tapped with the whip. He easily outran Wild Wolf by two and a half lengths, while Romantic Wave (Rock Of Gibraltar) just stayed on to finish third. Biz The Nurse is the first three-year-old to win the Gran Premio Di Milano since the English-trained Tommy Way in 1986, and is the first Italian-trained winner of that age since Sirlad in 1977.
“Biz The Nurse runs like an English horse. He needs a strong ride but the more you ask the more he gives you. I think he could be interesting to watch in England, over 2400m in a truly-run race,” said jockey Cristian Demuro, who was winning his first Gr.1 win in Italy. Trainer Stefano Botti saddled the first three home just as he had in the Italian Derby and the Gr.1 Premio Presidente Della Repubblica. He said: “Biz The Nurse proved how good he is, blowing away older horses. Yes, he defeated only a domestic field but Wild Wolf was second in the Derby last year and Romantic Wave won a Gr.3 a few weeks ago.
“He is a colt with room for serious improvement and will grow into a very nice four-year-old. He is easy to train, stays 2400m well and has a good turn of foot.” Biz The Nurse looks ready for an International challenge but Stefano Botti wants to play a safer game: “He will have a rest and then resume training with autumn targets in mind. The Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris is not a target because he needs a strong genuine pace and in France most of the races turn into tactical affairs.” Biz The Nurse, a €40,000 purchase by Scuderia Aleali at the ITS Yearling Sale, is the first foal out of the juvenile Listed winner Biz Bar (Tobougg), who has a two-year-old colt by Ivan Denisovich, a yearling colt by Arcano and a colt foal by Roderic O’Connor.
