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.

Advertisement

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. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Stakes Placed Blue Point Filly Breaks Maiden
Third on debut in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes, the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained Point Barrow (Blue Point) resumed at Bendigo on Thursday in the Avis Bendigo 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate (1100m) to break her maiden.
First Stakes-Winner for Palace Pier
Kingman’s champion Group I winning son Palace Pier (GB) only shuttled to Darley Australia for one year and will have his first runners this season with his first Northern Hemisphere stakes-winner arriving overnight when Morris Dancer win the Listed Stonehenge Stakes (1m) at Salisbury.
New Team Announced for Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse have today outlined their new structure and leadership team.
Ole Kirk Half-Brother To Golden Slipper Winner Scores In Style
Improving off a debut fifth, the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained Godtfred Kirk (Ole Kirk) appreciated the step up to 1400m, with the half-brother to Golden Slipper winner Mossfun breaking his maiden in Wednesday’s Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate at Sandown.
Cantiamo Leads Home Too Darn Hot Fillies One Two
With bigger plans ahead, be it this campaign or the next, connections have themselves a lovely filly for the future as the Kris Lees trained Cantiamo resumed on the Kensington track with a first up victory.
Emphatic Seven Length Victory for Artorius Brother
Making his third race day appearance off the back of a pleasing second last time out, 3yo colt Sixties highlighted his potential class with the Chris Waller trained brother to multiple Group 1 winner Artorius pulling clear by more than seven lengths!
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 13
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cogburn Arrives At Widden
Widden Stud’s new recruit Cogburn has arrived in the Hunter Valley with Widden producing vision of his arrival and first parades.
Savvy Win For Hellbent Filly
Connections of talented Hellbent filly Savvy Hallie would’ve breathed a sigh of relief after the multiple stakes placed filly finally secured her maiden victory, winning the Newcastle Masters Builders Apprentices Super 3YO Maiden Plate (900m) on Thursday.
Cleo Cat tops August (Early) Sale at $355,000
A date with well credentialled new stallion More Than Looks awaits today’s Inglis Digital August (Early) sale-topper Cleo Cat, which sold to Yulong for $355,000.