Tomelilla (NZ) (Tavistock) has delivered an outstanding return on her $15,000 purchase price at the 2014 Festival Sale at Karaka, capped by a valuable win in Saturday's $70,000 Group 3 ISCL Rotorua Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park.
Already the winner of five races and more than $90,000 in stakes, the five-year-old went to a new level on Saturday with her first black-type win.
Settling in the second half of the field for rider Troy Harris, she made her run down the extreme outside in the straight to beat highly talented stablemateDeals In Heels(NZ) (Iffraaj) by a length and three-quarters. The rest of the field finished another nine lengths behind the first pair.
With six wins from 21 starts and $134,485 in prize-money, Tomelilla has earned almost nine times her purchase price. As a stakes-winning mare, her value is now even greater than that.
"The way she's bred, to win a stakes race is very important," said Andrew Forsman, who trains in partnership with Murray Baker. "That's a very valuable win for her.
"It was a very good run. We're rapt. She's a gutsy mare."
Tomelilla is one of four foals to race out of the Dubai Destination marePurnima, and all four have been winners.Victor Hugo(NZ) (Fastnet Rock) won seven races,Viktor Vegas(NZ) (Tavistock) has won two andKodema(Perfectly Ready) four.
Bred by Bob Emery, Tomelilla is raced by Mrs M E Baker & G J Jones.
| Vendor | Belvedere Farm |
| Purchaser | Mr GJ Jones (Auckland) |
| Breeding | Tavistock – Purnima |
| Sale | Lot 1201, 2014 Festival Sale, $15,000 |
| Bred by | R A Emery |
