Tuxedo Wins G3 Wellington Stakes - Half-Sister Inglis Classic

Media Release - Thursday November 28

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray collected their second Group Three success in a matter of days at Otaki on Thursday, with Tuxedo stamping himself as an early Derby prospect when winning the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m).

Tuxedo winning the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki on Thursday.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

The Cambridge training partnership won last Saturday’s Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) with Nereus, and partnering up once again with jockey Joe Doyle, they travelled to the Central Districts with a promising horse having just his second race-day start.

The fifth stakes-winner for Tivaci, he won on debut at Te Aroha on October 30 and had strong form behind him, starting a $7.40 fourth-favourite with Island Life on top at $3.40. Jumping from a wide draw, Doyle opted to settle back in midfield on the gelding, with Ocean Miss taking the early lead before Dubai’s Potiki found the top at the 1000m.

Island Life found the perfect split turning for home and hit the lead early with Ocean Miss the main danger, before Tuxedo began to power down the inside and found an extra kick late, denying the favourite by a long head.

Doyle was full of praise for Tuxedo following the three-year-old feature.

“He’s a gorgeous horse, big, scopey and a good mover, he has everything going for him,” he said.

“We had to pick and choose runs today, he was brave where he went then he chased down the two running up to the line, so well done to Colm and Shaune.

“He’s far from (the finished product), he’s got a lot to learn but once he pulls it all together, I think we really have a proper horse on our hands. As soon as he learns just to relax a little bit, I can put him to sleep and stay in races.

“We could have some fun.”

Advertisement

Ritchie was thrilled with the result, with the $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day in March presenting as a long-term goal for Tuxedo, who has a yearling half-sister by Super Seth heading to Inglis Classic in Sydney for Waikato Stud where she will be offered as Lot 47 .

“We’ve always fancied him as a talent, he got it wrong first-up and he was pulling early and got to the front a bit early, but he’s beaten a horse (Withallmyfaith) who has gone out and won two races impressively since, so the form was there,” he said.

“We were keen to ride him cold today and we think he’ll end up a nice stayer, he’s got a lot to learn but jeez, it’s nice winning a Group Three at your second start.

“He needs experience and obviously the money’s at Ellerslie, but it’s nice to come down here. We were keen not to go there (on Saturday) and hit a firm track too early, and it was a nice step-up here with good give in the ground.

“We’ll head to Ellerslie next, we might give him a week to himself and then pick some races over a bit further. He’s a big strong horse, he’s got a lovely action about him, and you’d think he’ll get further than a mile for sure.

“He’s exciting.”

Tuxedo was a $70,000 K1 purchase from Waikato Stud.

Tuxedo was purchased for $70,000 out of breeder Waikato Stud’s draft at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales, the first foal out of an O’Reilly mare in Ball Gown. The victory extends his prizemoney to $67,860, with two wins from as many attempts. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes Gr3 1600m

Otaki Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:36.17
1
Tuxedo
- 3g Tivaci (AUS) x Ball Gown (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S Ritchie & C Murray Rdr: Joe Doyle 57
NZB Karaka Book 1 $70,000
Seller: Waikato Stud Ltd
Buyer: Mr GI Barnett
2
0.2
Island Life
- 3f Vadamos (FR) x Lycia (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: S Ramsay & J Ritchie Rdr: S C Spratt 55
3
2.5
Ocean Miss
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Runway (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W F Pinn 55
NZB Karaka Book 1 $60,000
Seller: Carlaw Park
Buyer: Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ)
4
2.8
Bella Montagna
- 3f Belardo (IRE) x Lochnagar (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Darryn & Briar Weatherley Rdr: S R Weatherley 55.5
5
5.1
Skippers Canyon
- 3g Belardo (IRE) x Goldsumware (NZ) (Refuse To Bend (IRE))
Tnr: J V Wallace Rdr: K R Hercock 57
6
5.9
Vanish
- 3f Vanbrugh (AUS) x Folies Bergere (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: F J Auret Rdr: M Singh 55
7
7.2
He's Lucid
- 3g Contributer (IRE) x Big Dreamer (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: K T Myers Rdr: L Sutherland 57
8
7.6
Subiaco
- 3g Impending (AUS) x Prudence Perfecto (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Peter & Shaun Mckay Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57
9
11.4
Joan's Joker
- 3g Eminent (IRE) x Dance All Day (NZ) (Cullen (AUS))
Tnr: G R Vile Rdr: N S Parmar 57
10
15.2
Bradley
- 3g Belardo (IRE) x Our Lady Gaga (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C W Cole Rdr: M Hashizume 57
11
16.7
Dubai's Potiki
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Dubai Belle (NZ) (E Dubai (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: Harry Grace 57
More Reading...
Inglis Chairman’s Sale-Toppers – Where Are They Now?
A star studded renewal of the Inglis Chairman’s Sale will light up Riverside Stables this evening from 5pm with glamour girls Bella Nipotina and Amelia’s Jewel vying for top honours, so we’re taking a quick look back to check in on some of the stars from the past.
Pedigree Watch – Euro 3YO Chester Classic Trials
Godolphin have been dominating the Northern Hemisphere classics in spectacular fashion on both sides of the Atlantic, but Coolmore had their turn at Chester overnight producing a homebred colt from a family with an Aussie offshoot and a sale-topping filly with Derby and Oaks aspirations.
Japanese Bred Filly Wins At Eagle Farm
Could trainer Kris Lees have the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on his mind after his three-year-old, northern hemisphere bred filly Eclair Encore (Jpn) recorded a strong victory over 1800m at Eagle Farm.
MyRacehorse Swoop on Circus Maximus 2YO
Promising juvenile Engine Of War has joined the growing Australasian stable of international micro-share syndicator MyRacehorse.
Queensland Calling for Exciting Wootton Bassett Colt
Champion trainer Chris Waller is renowned for producing talented back season juveniles that blossom into stakes performers and we saw one at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when heavily backed Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Regulated Affair opened his account.
Rising Stars - Metro 2YO Double for Wootton Bassett
Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) unleashed not one but two exciting juveniles at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with the opening race going to the colt Regulated Affair and shortly after it was the turn of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly Agarwood.
Castelvecchio Filly Records Promising Victory
Having placed in her first two starts, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman trained Street Lark (Castelvecchio) appeared to appreciate the step up to the 1500m of Wednesday’s Sportsbet Get On Extra Plate at Caulfield to break her maiden with a promising performance..
So You Think Filly Shows Oaks Potential
The Bjorn Baker stable has been on fire this year and it’s full steam ahead to Queensland for talented So You Think filly Dame Commander, who beat older rivals at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Million Dollar Goal for I Am Invincible Filly
Tony and Calvin McEvoy landed a lucrative victory in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May last year with Arabian Summer and are hopeful they have another filly that can do the job this year in Sisstainable.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 7
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.