Yulong Homebred Wins G2 Tulloch

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday April 1

The $300,000 Group II ATC Tulloch Stakes (2000m) is traditionally a race for Australian Derby contenders, but a thrilling three way go to the line saw Yulong homebred gelding Pocketing snatch a narrow win at Rosehill on Tuesday, but he's no certainty to start on Saturday.

What a finish, Pocketing gets the win in the middle - image Bradley Photograhy

Trained by Richard and Will Freedman, Pocketing was a last start winner of a Midway Benchmark 72 event over 1600m so was stepping up in both class and distance and found both to his liking on the heavy ground.

He surged home down the middle of the straight for Josh Parr and held a narrow margin on the line over Yes Yes Yes gelding Firm Agreement who slipped through from last to grab second in the inside while King of Thunder topped off his Derby prep with a stylish third.

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Pocketing is the third stakes-winner for O’Reilly stallion Grunt and has the overall record of four wins and four placings from nine starts with prizemoney just shy of $300,000 and his only unplaced run was when he suffered cardiac arrhythmia.

Pocketing returns a G2 winner - image Bradley Photography

Will Freedman was unsure what the immediate future might hold for Pocketing, with the Derby not exactly a preferred option.

Pocketing is the first winner for unraced High Chaparral (IRE) mare Pickpocket, who claims influential producer Jesmond Lass as her fourth dam with the family producing Group I stars such as Canny Lad, Canny Lass and more recent stars like Sepoy and Bivouac.

Pickpocket had a colt by Grunt last year before visiting Panthalassa (Jpn).

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Race Result - Toyota Forklifts Tulloch Stakes Gr2 2000m

Rosehill Track: Heavy(8) Time: 2:04.26
1
Pocketing
- 3g Grunt (NZ) x Pickpocket (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Richard & Will Freedman Rdr: J Parr 56
2
0.1
Firm Agreement
- 3g Yes Yes Yes (AUS) x Money Magic (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $140,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Widden Valley
Buyer: Triple Crown Syndications
MM Gold Coast National Weanling Sale $125,000
Seller: Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW
Buyer: Redwall Bloodstock
3
0.2
King Of Thunder
- 3g Tivaci (AUS) x Sheezababe (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton Rdr: Zac Lloyd 56
NZB Ready To Run Sale $50,000
Seller: Ohukia Lodge Ltd
Buyer: John O'Shea Racing
4
1.1
Black Babylon
- 3g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Akhania (GB) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: T Marquand 56
5
2
Confetti Garden
- 3g Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Keeva (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Tommy Berry 56
6
3
Autumn Aroha
- 3g The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Indarra (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: Richard Litt Rdr: C Schofield 56
7
3.9
Golden Century
- 3g Pierro (AUS) x Breeze (IRE) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: N Rawiller 56
8
4
Deal N' Dash
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Kebede (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 56
9
4.7
Tenbury Wells
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Dowager Queen (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: A B Collett 56
10
7.3
Hardpoint
- 3g Raise The Flag (GB) x Holy Flame (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 56
11
13.6
War Ribbon
- 3g Calyx (GB) x Motion Of Power (GER) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: Tom Sherry 56
12
18.5
Perfect Justice
- 3g Justify (USA) x Childhood (USA) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: Molly Bourke 56
13
24
Format
- 3c Frankel (GB) x Nechita (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
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