Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan went to Warwick Farm on Wednesday hoping she had a horse with a bright future and now she knows she has after two year-old colt Tambeloa relished a step up in trip to break his maiden.
Placed at his first two starts at Hawkesbury, Tambeloa was given a patient ride by Jay Ford in the 1600m maiden and he was doing his best work on the line to draw clear and win by three-quarters of a length over race favourite Rasp.
Jay Ford was well pleased with the win.
"I really like him. I had my first go on him the other day and said to Kristen ‘he doesn’t know what he's doing, but he's gonna make a horse’ and he'll stay that's an obvious,” said Ford.
A $60,000 Magic Millions purchase from Yulong for Tiverton Bloodstock, Tambeloa is the seventh winner from 10 foals to race from Group III winner Gamble Me and is a half-brother to Group II placed Major Conquest and stakes-placed Kinagat.
“It's really exciting. He's a big baby. He's only two, just about to turn three, I know,” said Kristen Buchanan.
“He’s been showing a lot of promise. It's a big deal to come here and win. I'm very happy with him.
“My partner selected him and my owners have supported me in buying into these better horses so I'm super grateful and it's great to deliver.
“Dreams are free so maybe there is a Derby in his picture down the track.”
Tambeloa is the fifth winner from the first crop of Group I MRC Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa, whose best winner so far is Spicy Lu, a stakes-winner at a mile.
Tagaloa stands at Yulong this spring at a fee of $22,000