O’Reilly filly in line for Group One homecoming

Breednet - Tuesday September 26
Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani is giving serious thought to sending his Kiwi-bred filly Tigeen home for a Group One opportunity.

Matt CumaniHe has the daughter of O'Reilly entered in the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and plans for a trip to Christchurch in November could firm up later this week.

Tigeen continued a good run for Cumani with his 2016 Karaka purchases when she was successful on debut at Benalla over 1400m earlier this month.

"I'm still working out what distance is best for her and if she can learn to settle," he said.

"She ran a little keenly first-up so she's stepping up to a mile at Bendigo on Thursday and that will give us a line on her.

"She's in the 1000 Guineas here, but that might come up a bit quickly for her so the Guineas in New Zealand is a potential Group One target.

"She's owned by my parents so breeding is definitely the aim for her later on."

Cumani's mother Sara operates Fittocks Stud in England while his father Luca, an internationally-successful trainer, has his stables at nearby Newmarket.

A $220,000 purchase out of Little Avondale Stud's draft, Tigeen was signed for by Matt Cumani and bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.

She is out of the English-bred Green Desert mare Knocknacrea, who is from the family of the Luca Cumani-trained Gr.1 Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) winner Markofdistinction.

"Of the five yearlings we bought at Karaka only one has disappointed, but he needs more time," Matt Cumani said.

Greycliffe was purchased out of Lyndhurst Farm's consignment for $250,000 and the Tavistock colt was successful at Casterton earlier this month.

"He's flying, he won a weak race, but he got out of some serious trouble on the rail to win really well," Cumani said.

Redwood's son Mighty Quinn, purchased for $40,000 from Blackbridge's draft, has placed in both of his runs and requires one scratching for a start in Wednesday's VRC Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington.

Mighty Quinn and Greycliffe are both also entered in the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Another New Zealand acquisition is Own Sweet Way, an Iffraaj gelding secured for $110,000 from Trelawney Stud's draft, who has placed in both of his starts.– NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
Kiwi Cup Hopeful Headed to Melbourne
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature.
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.
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances
Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 9
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
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.