A strong Kiwi connection will be at play this Saturday at Flemington when New Zealand-bred three-year-old Artzino pairs with star apprentice Wiremu Pinn in the Sir Henry Bolte Handicap (2000m).

Artzino finished third fresh-up over 1600m at Sandown in late May for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr after being held up in the home straight and closed strongly to the line behind Elkington Road.

Kent Jnr said the gelding was in great order and had come through his gallop well on Thursday at Cranbourne.

“Artzino is a nice horse, he’s been frustrating having a few little things go wrong and against him,” Kent Jnr told Racing.com.

“He ran very well first up at the mile, he’s now second up at 2000m and he’s been looking for this trip.

“He’s by Tarzino, he’s got a beautiful action and Billy the Kid (Pinn) rides him, so we get a good claim of 2 kilos.

“We’ve looked after him, we’ve been patient, and on the back of his good first-up run I think he’ll go very well.”

Expat-kiwi Pinn has been in racing headlines through the week after having his claim reduced from 3kg to 2kg by Victorian stewards, however, he remains in strong demand with a full book of rides at the iconic Melbourne venue.

Artzino was purchased by his Victorian trainers, in partnership with bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo, out of Seaton Park’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $60,000.