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Is He Another Derby Winner for Tavistock

Mark Smith - Wednesday September 27

Two New Zealand- breds on a mission to the Victoria Derby fought out a thrilling head-bobbing finish in Wednesday's Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington.

The Anthony Freedman-trained Tavistock gelding Tavistock Abbey edged out the Reliable Man gelding Main Stage by a nose with Snitzel colt Mutamayel four lengths back in third.

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Carrying the colours made famous by Super Impose, Tavistock Abbey was coming off a maiden win over 1600 metres at Bendigo on September 14.


"He's definitely going the right way," winning jockey Luke Currie said.

"His last win was really good. He got there a bit soon and he put them away fairly quick.

"I thought today he was not quite suited to be ridden right up behind them and waiting for the run to show that turn of foot. I think he appreciated the room to blend into the race last time. He probably would have won better today if he had that.

"It was obviously a nice win and he is on track."

Those sentiments were back up by Anthony Freedman.

"He's a nice horse. The (Victoria Derby) is the obvious way to go," Freedman said.

"He's got to keep doing it as they all do. He was strong today, he wasn't quite as dominant as he was at Bendigo but he got the job done and he will improve off it.   

"We've got various options - we can go the Caulfield Classic, the Vase, Geelong (Classic), we'll just plot a course on the way to the Derby. If we are happy with him on Derby day he will run, if it comes a bit quick with him we'll wait for the autumn.

"He should only get better as they get longer.

Consigned by Rich Hill Stud to the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Tavistock Abbey (pictured as a yearling) was knocked down to Freedman Racing for $200,000.

He is the eighth foal and first winner of the Zabeel mare Surreal a winner over 1600 metres and a sister to Listed winner Royal Era.

Surreal's granddam Todor Flash (Oakville) is a half-sister to dual Group I winner Todor Light (All A'Light) the dam of Group I South Australian Oaks and Group I Australasian Oaks heroine Our Tristalight (Sir Tristram).

Surreal has a 2yo colt by Super Easy. After slipping to Proisir in 2015 she was covered by Jimmy Choux last spring.

Cambridge Stud's Montjeu stallion Tavistock has the 2015 Victoria Derby winner Tarzino and the 2016 ATC Australian Derby winner Tavago on his CV already and looks well placed to add to that record. 

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