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...
Exceedance Filly Breaks Maiden with G3 Champion fillies Victory
Classy Exceedance daughter Pure Excess galloped out of maiden company and into the headlines when she got up for a heartstopping last stride victory over the favourite, in the G3 WA Champions Fillies Stakes on opening day of The Pinnacles carnival at Ascot.
Bivouac Filly Wins $500,000 Placid Ark Stakes - G1 Possible
Worth a whopping $500,000, the Listed WATC Placid Ark Stakes (1100m) for three year-olds was the richest race on the program at Ascot on Saturday and the short priced favourite Luana Miss scored an impressive win.
Almanzor Mare Back on Track
Classy mare Mary Shan has black-type targets on her agenda after bouncing back to winning form in Saturday’s Happy Hire Cup (1400m) at Tauranga.
First Stakes Victory For Better Then Ready’s Epic Proportions
With victories in NSW, Victoria and Queensland since July, Ciaron Maher’s Better Than Ready gelding Epic Proportions has produced some strong efforts in his last four starts in the sunshine state, but none more so than his effort of Saturday to win the Listed BRC Keith Noud Stakes (1200m) when leading throughout. 
Star WA Mare Storyville on Track for G1 Railway
Quality four year old mare Storyville (Overshare) collected her third stakes win and slammed the door of the Last Chance Saloon shut on a couple of potential Railway Stakes rivals in the G3 RJ Peters Stakes 1500m at Ascot.
Invincible Filly Wins $1million G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes
I Am Invincible was expected to have the winner in the $1million Group III MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday with race favourite My Gladiola coming out of a second placing in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes, but it was another daughter of the champion sire that got the cash.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 15
Here is the full list of 110 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Star Sprinter Jokers Grin Plays Winning Hand
On a big, boisterous opening day of The Pinnacles carnival at a packed out Ascot racecourse, WA’s reigning Horse Of The Year Jokers Grin was definitely the headline act.
2026 Inglis Classic Now Online
The catalogue for the 2026 Classic Yearling Sale – the fastest growing success story of the Southern Hemisphere’s early-season auctions – is now available online.
2026 Inglis Classic Sire Break Up and Vendor Representation
The 2026 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale is now online with 798 yearlings which is pretty much on on a par with last year’s 805 and if you believe variety is the spice of life this catalogue is going to make you happy.