In an interview on Saturday morning 22 October 2011, Darley's retained trainer Peter Snowden was bullish on the prospects of the progeny of Bernardini (USA).
A few hours later at Rosehill Gardens, the Darley homebred Meidung (Bernardini (USA) x Amish (Canny Lad) made a huge impression on debut with a two and three-quarter length stroll on the Harvey Norman Hcp to credit her sire with his first southern hemisphere bred winner.
Making full use of an inside barrier, Christian Reith gave the filly an inch of rein at the top of the straight and found an instant response. Meidung put the race to bed in a matter of strides and was eased down inside the final furlong to defeat the fast finishing favourite Dances On Stars (Snitzel) with Kyoto (Gonski) three lengths back in third.
Stable foreman Brad Widdup said the filly rates highly among the first batch of two-year olds. "She would be right there with them at this stage, Widdup said. "Pete (Snowden) has a big wrap on the Bernardini's, they are very nice horses."
Unfortunately for Snowden he has only a handful of two-year olds by the son of AP Indy.
Outside breeders were keen to support the three time Grade 1 winner in his first season. His book included the Group 1 winners or producers, Bulla Borghese Danni Martine, Gatana, Kenbelle, Marrego, Leone Chiara, Mon Mekki, and Polar Success.
Last season Darley swept all the Group 1 races for two-year olds and look to have another fine prospect in Meidung. She is the fifth foal of the Sydney winning Canny Lad mare Amish, a half-sister to the admirably consistent Darley colour-bearer Pinwheel (Lonhro) a Group 2 winner of over $830,000.
Bernardini (USA) was a remarkable performer on the track in the States and has made an excellent start to his stallion career.
He was always going to have to overcome his predominantly dirt pedigree. But that was allayed to some extent when his first Group 1 winner came when Biondetti captured the Gran Criterium on the grass at San Siro October 9 last year.
A son of Lane's End Farm's champion stallion AP Indy out of the top-class Quiet American mare Cara Rafaela, Bernardini (USA) covered 129 mares at Darley Stud last season at a fee of $38,500.
Delbridge Racing has Bernzigova, a 2-y-old colt by Bernardini, in work with top trainer Mark Kavanagh.