On to the Derby - Tutukaka Impresses in the Geelong Classic

Mark Smith - Wednesday October 20

All roads lead to Flemington for $2million Group 1 Victoria Derby for Melody Belle's half-brother Tutukaka following his win Wednesday’s $200,000 Listed Geelong Classic (2200m).

Tutukaka captures the Geelong Classic (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Given a patient ride by Damian Lane, the Tony Pike-trained gelding came with a sweeping run from near the tail of the field after Grinzinger King had the field spread out by over 15 lengths in the middle stages.

Godolphin’s Teofilo colt Character took the lead shortly after turning for home. He tries to rally when tackled by Tutukaka but the Tavistock gelding had all the momentum and went on to win by three-quarters of a length.

The Exosphere gelding Phere The Ex was two and a half lengths back in third.

The winner of the Listed Tattersalls Life Member Stakes (1830m) at Eagle Farm last season at two, Tutukaka advances his record to two wins, two seconds, and a third from seven starts with earnings of $223,063.

At his most recent start, Tutukaka made the running when fifth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.

“He led up at a strong tempo with the blinkers and he was still a bit fresh last start. That run really brought him on,” Lane said.

“Credit to Tony Pike, he’s such a good trainer of these young stayers. Big thanks to Tony Noonan and his staff that are looking after him. He was really good today.

“I just thought (the pace) was perfect. When Tony said that we wanted to ride him a bit quieter I knew we wanted to ride him behind the speed and didn’t want to be doing the donkey work. But I thought it might have been the wrong day to do it.

“I didn’t think there’d be much tempo on paper and lucky for us it worked out that there was strong tempo and that was always going to suit this horse - a genuinely run 2200 metres. He was obviously strongest late.”

Advertisement

Tony Noonan said that Pike had entrusted him with looking after the son of Tavistock.

“I’ve been good mates with Tony (Pike) and known his family for more than 30 years. I was honoured for him to ring me but I’ve been under a bit of pressure, we haven’t been firing a shot,” Noonan said.

“Tony thought that from that gate it would be best getting some cover and Damien gave him a lovely ride and he got a lovely track into the race and hit the line impressively.

“He’s a lovely big horse and he relaxed beautifully today so he’s heading in the right direction (to the Derby).”

Tutukaka a $250,000 Karaka yearling

The half-brother to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle was purchased by his trainer for $250,000 out of Haunui Farm draft at the 2020 NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka.

He is the third winner from five to race out of the Iffraaj mare Meleka Belle a descendent of New Zealand's prolific "Belle" family.

The Written Tycoon Syndicate purchased her record-breaking daughter Melody Belle for $2,600,000 at the recent National broodmare Sale.

Bred and raced by Marie Leicester, Meleka Belle was the 15th and final named foal from the Sir Tristram mare Empress Belle.

Meleka Belle has a 2yo filly by Snitzel named My Annie Belle and was covered by Pierro last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Roderick Ins. Geelong Classic LR 2200m

Geelong Track: Good(4) Time: 2:16.90
1
Tutukaka
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Damian Lane 58
2
0.8
Character
- 3c Teofilo (IRE) x Monogram (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57
3
3.3
Phere The Ex
- 3g Exosphere (AUS) x High Country (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: H Coffey 57
4
3.4
King Of Pharaohs
- 3c American Pharoah (USA) x Miss With Attitude (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: W Gordon 57
5
5.7
Grinzinger King
- 3c Domesday (AUS) x Dom Perion (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: John Allen 57
6
7.2
Daario
- 3g Real Impact (JPN) x Email Me (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
7
14.2
Shabalala
- 3g Starcraft (NZ) x Durban (AUS) (Helenus (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Craig Williams 57
8
15.4
Max Fire
- 3g Star Turn (AUS) x Witwatersrand (IRE) (Unfuwain (USA))
Tnr: Travis Doudle Rdr: D Oliver 57
9
19.7
Magic Mikey
- 3g Zed (NZ) x Magic Tryst (NZ) (Magic Ring (IRE))
Tnr: S Foster Rdr: Declan Bates 57
10
23.4
Culloden Moor
- 3g Domesday (AUS) x Kilts (AUS) (Super Saver (USA))
Tnr: P G Carey Rdr: R Mc Leod 57
11
73.4
Celestial Fury
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Sister Celeste (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Mc Dougall 58
More Reading...
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
So You Think Filly Wins G2 Edward Manifold
Danny O’Brien believes he has the Group I VRC Oaks in his sights with So You Think filly Getta Good Feeling breaking her maiden in the best way possible with a last stride win in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Melody Belle Half-Brother Tutukaka Wins Taupo Cup
Tony Pike will press on with increased confidence toward loftier goals with Tutukaka after the son of Tavistock returned to winning ways in fine style on Friday.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
Tavistock's Tutukaka to Target the Victoria Derby
Melody Belle's half-brother Tutukaka will target the Victoria Derby in the spring after breaking his maiden with little more than a working gallop in Saturday's Listed Tattersall's Life Member Stakes (1830m) at Eagle Farm.
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.