SA Derby Aim for Tavistock 3YO

Media Release - Thursday April 1

Progressive staying three-year-old Deepstrike made it back-to-back win at Sandown on Wednesday with an impressive victory over 1800m.

Deepstrike winning at Sandown on Wednesday. Photo: Pat Scala (Racing Photos)

Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the son of Tavistock will now be aimed at Group races in South Australia, with his conditioners likely to keep the lightly-tried gallopers runs spaced at this stage of his career.

“He’ll go to the Chairman’s Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) in three and a-half weeks’ time and then on to the South Australian Derby (Gr.1,2500m) on May 8,” co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr said.

Sporting the colours of prominent owner Rupert Legh, who races amongst a syndicate of high-profile owners, Deepstrike placed in two of his three of starts last preparation, but has found his best form since he was gelded.

The three-year-old was a first-up winner over 1600m at Pakenham and had no trouble extending his winning sequence on Wednesday.

Advertisement

Deepstrike raced three-wide near the back of the field before angling widest on the turn and produced a sustained finish under Michael Dee.

“He’s been flying at home and is a really natural stayer with that turn of foot, he’s exciting,” said Kent Jnr, who trains with Mick Price.

Deepstrike was purchased by Price at Karaka for $280,000 and is a son of the Zabeel mare Obey.

She is from the family of the Group winners and sires Commands, Danewin, Deep Field and Shooting To Win.- NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Easy Form (Bm64) 1800m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(3) Time: 1:50.46
1
Deepstrike
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Obey (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: M J Dee 59
2
2.0
Nobel Heights
- 3c Fiorente (IRE) x Free Friday (AUS) (Helissio (FR))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Will Price 58.5
3
3.5
He Is
- 4g Pierro (AUS) x She's Not (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: M A Kavanagh Rdr: M Zahra 58.5
4
4.5
Storm's Colours
- 3g Fighting Sun (AUS) x Areyoutalkintome (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: Anthony Chibnall Rdr: Dean Holland 58.5
5
4.9
Gracias Amigo
- 4g God's Own (AUS) x Random Act (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: L Currie 61
6
6.1
Rousseau
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Solar Rock (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Damien Thornton 56.5
7
6.4
Thrum
- 4g Ocean Park (NZ) x Chorus (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: Ms B Dunn Rdr: Lachlan King 57
8
6.5
Eckhart
- 7g Pentire (GB) x Classic Blonde (NZ) (King's Chapel (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: Rose Pearson 61.5
9
7.5
Token Spirit
- 3g Wandjina (AUS) x Miss Keepsake (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: D Oliver 58.5
10
8.8
Adventure Trip
- 3g Good Journey (USA) x Revives (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: D R Brideoake Rdr: Jamie Kah 59.5
11
10.8
Selfless
- 3f Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Angel Of Mercy (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: M J Walker 57
More Reading...
Another Impressive New Winner St Mark’s Basilica
A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.
Debut Farnan Winner for Pencarrow Stud
Three-year-old filly Passiflora showed promise at the trials and transferred that potential into raceday success when scoring on debut in the NZ Horse Ambulance 970 at Cambridge on Wednesday.
Super Seth 3YO Wins $100,000 Inglis Bonus
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou know how to place a horse to advantage and did so accordingly with talented three year-old Super Seth gelding Sanctified, who broke his maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday and picked up a $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus for his efforts.
Balaklava Cup Victory For Puissance de Lune’s Inform Sav On Ice
Starting well in the market off the back of his solid recent form, the Darryl Carrison trained Sav On Ice was contesting his first black type race, and took home the prize, winning the Listed SAJC Balaklava Cup (1600m) on Wednesday.
Promising Ole Kirk 3yo Regal Award Simply Too Good
Improving off a last start fifth behind Space Rider over 1200m at Moonee Valley, the Phillip Stokes trained Regal Award didn’t disappoint as the race favourite in Sportsbet BlackBook Plate (1300m) on the Sandown Hillside course on Wednesday, scoring with ease.
Karaka Graduates Honoured at New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards
The champions of New Zealand’s 2024-25 season were crowned during the Horse of the Year Awards in Hamilton on Sunday night, where four Karaka graduates were named the standouts of their respective categories.
Break Through Win for Promising Pierro Stayer
Placed in the Group I New Zealand Derby behind Willydoit, talented young stayer Golden Century has been long overdue to break through for a maiden win and he got the job done at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale-Topper Salutes
Bought by Yulong for $700,000 to top the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale last year, three year-old Justify (USA) colt Officiate opened his account with a determined win in testing conditions at Canterbury on Wednesday.
I Am Invincible Stallion Chasing Black Type in NZ
Tardelli has the looks to match his rich pedigree, and his upcoming preparation will be focussed on adding a top level performance to boost his future stallion prospects.
$600,000 Ole Kirk Share Tops Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale
Shares in leading young stallions Ole Kirk and Southport Tycoon dominated bidding in today’s Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, finishing as the two highest-priced lots.