Annavisto a Class Above in Tony Bourke Memorial

Mark Smith - Saturday February 18

Reappearing for the first time since disappointing in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm last June, the 5yo Reliable Man (GB) mare Annavisto made a one-act affair of the Group III Tony Bourke Memorial (1400m) at Flemington.

A walk in the park for Annavisto (image Grant Courtney)

Dominating from the front under Jamie Kah, the Mick Price and Micael Kent Jnr-trained mare won for the first time since capturing the race last year when called the Frances Tressady Stakes.

Annavisto kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Wrote To Arataki (Wrote) by three and a half lengths, with Excelida (Exceed And Excel) three-quarter lengths back in third.

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With her third stakes success and runner-up in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes, the 5yo daughter of Reliable Man advances her record to seven wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $801,975.

“I thought she’d be a bit vulnerable first-up, but she does run above herself fresh, Michael Kent Jnr said.

“We were hoping that (Dean) Yendall wouldn’t do that (on Wrote To Arataki). Naughty boy there pushing her.

“Hoping she’s not flat second-up. We’re going to a Group 1 in three weeks’ time.”

Bred by part-owner Nearco Stud’s Greg Tomlinson and carrying the colours of Bill Frost, Annavisto is the best of three winners from four to race for the stakes-winning Tavistock mare, Avisto.

 A half-sister to Listed Morphettville Guineas winner Celtic Tiger (O’Reilly), Avisto’s colt by Ocean Park was a $100,000 purchase for John O'Shea Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Curraghmore draft at Karaka in January.

Avisto was covered by Vadamos (FR) in 2021. 

Annavisto gets a congratulatory pat from Jobe Watson's daughter Juniper (image Grant Courtney)

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Race Result - Tony Bourke Memorial Gr3 1400m

Flemington Track: Good(3) Time: 1:21.59
1
Annavisto
- 5m Reliable Man (GB) x Avisto (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
2
3.5
Wrote To Arataki
- 4m Wrote (IRE) x Galloping Gerte (NZ) (Align (AUS))
Tnr: M J Williams Rdr: D Yendall 58
3
4.3
Excelida
- 6m Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Lady Sayyida (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: D Oliver 58.5
4
5.0
Vespertine
- 5m Epaulette (AUS) x Sweet Nothings (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: J Mott 57
5
6.0
Elusive Express
- 4m Jakkalberry (IRE) x Braided (AUS) (Elusive Quality (USA))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: B Shinn 56
6
6.3
Boogie Dancer
- 3f Sooboog (AUS) x Search For Fame (AUS) (Quest For Fame (GB))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: D W Stackhouse 56.5
7
7.3
Sirileo Miss
- 5m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x She's Sirius (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: M Zahra 58
8
7.7
El Patroness
- 4m Shamus Award (AUS) x Sure You Can (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 59.5
9
7.8
Niffler
- 5m Tavistock (NZ) x Glamorous Girl (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
10
8.8
Glint Of Hope
- 4m Deep Impact (JPN) x Sacred Sight (GB) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 59.5
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