Following his fighting third in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, the Lindsay Smith trained Tuvalu and jockey Jarrod Fry had their day in the sun in the $1,00,000 Group 1 Hyland Race Colours Toorak Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield.
Never off the board in 13 starts, the 5yo gelded son of Kermadec was strong to the line in defeating the Annabel Neasham pair, the fast-finishing Laws Of Indices (IRE) (Power) by three-quarter of a length, with a long-head back to Military Expert (Redoute’s Choice) in third.
The winner of the Listed Winter Championship Final at Flemington on July 2, Tuvalu advanced his record to eight wins, four seconds, and a third from 13 starts with earnings of $1,112,050.
“Throughout the run I was really happy with where we were and I was pretty confident that I was going to run those ones down in front. I just needed the line to come up. That feeling going past the line is like nothing else.”
It was a Group 1 breakthrough for Fry, who said Lindsey Smith has been a great supporter.
“You always dream of it. I’m very lucky that Lindsey has been backing me along with this ownership group,” Fry said.
“This is not just for me, but all of the staff have been good to me.”
“I could sit there for hours naming them all. I really enjoy working with them and it’s good to get the reward with them.
“When I was 16 I finished school and started at Weiry’s (Darren Weir) and didn’t know how to put a halter on so he taught he everything when I started riding a little pony bareback.
“Then progressed to gallops and trials and races. It’s just good to get a big one.
“I’ve been very lucky that Lindsey and his team have backed me. I’ve consistently good seasons winning the leading country rider but the city opportunities have been very limited so obviously when given the opportunity on this horse, I’ve taken it with both hands and it is good to get the result.”
Lindsey Smith said it was a just reward for the effort Fry has put in.
“He has done a wonderful job for the stable. It’s all about Jarrod and the horse today,” Smith said.
“The owners have been special people to me, but just for Jarrod and all his hard work.
“All my fellow workers at home, it’s great. Especially Group 1s are what it is all about, isn’t it.
“He’s always felt like one day he’d win one of these. I’m glad it came sooner than later. The barrier helped and a perfect ride and the way the map worked out, so it’s good to get it done.”
Carrying the colours made famous by Scales Of Justice, Tuvalu was a $200,000 purchase by Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) / L Smith out of the Merricks Station draft at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
He is the lone winner from three to race out of Exceed And Excel mare Hangin’ Tough whose stakes-placed dam Ancelin (Sadler’s Wells) is a half-sister to Darley Stud’s blue hen Accessories, the dam of Epaulette, Helmet, Bullbars and Pearls.
Kennewell Racing / Trilogy Racing bought a Lonhro filly out of Hangin’ Tough for $250,000 from the Merricks Station draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Hangin’ Tough has a yearling colt by Impending and was covered by Capitalist last spring.
On a magnificent day for Darley stallions, Tuvalu joins 4-time Group 1 winner Montefilia and VRC Oaks heroine Willowy on the Group 1 honour board of Kermadec.
