There was no shortage of promising youngsters in Saturday’s Rod Johnson Hcp (1420m) at Flemington, yet the Night Of Thunder (IRE) gelding Cherry Tortoni saw them all off in style to keep his record at perfect two for two.
Ridden by Billy Egan for Patrick Payne, Cherry Tortoni showed his hugely impressive career debut win at Sale was no fluke when he rounded them up in a few strides with a brilliant burst of acceleration to defeat talented Savabeel colt Albarado by one and a half lengths with the Pride Of Dubai filly Insaaf three-quarter of a length back in third.
Cherry Tortoni keeps his record perfect at Flemington (Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)
"Knowing the horse, that was pretty impressive," Payne told AAP.
"We haven't given him the full education yet so there is more to do.
"He's the type of horse that doesn't need a big break so we'll look at something in the spring but not sure what as yet.
Carrying the red with white cap silks of the Tait-Nivison families, the Olly Tait-bred Cherry Tortoni is out of the Strategic mare Tortoni (Strategic) who is a half-sister to the 13-time Group 1 winner Tie The Knot (Nassipour) who banked $6.2 million when trained by the late Guy Walter.
Cherry Tortoni Billy Egan (Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)
Also, a half-sister to the Listed winners Hood (Shamardal) and Dream Ballad (Singspiel), Tortoni is the final foal of the Group 1 VATC One Thousand Guineas heroine Whisked (Whiskey Road).
Tortoni was not up to the class of her siblings on the track winning just a maiden at Wagga from four starts.
Night Of Thunder
The daughter of Strategic has a weanling filly by Churchill (IRE) and was covered last spring by Mendelssohn (USA).
Night Of Thunder (IRE) is currently the third leading first season sire list behind Pride Of Dubai and Spill The Beans.
A dual Group One-winning son of Dubawi, Night Of Thunder (IRE) was Europe’s Champion First Season sire and his 3yo son Molatham was an impressive winner on the second day at Royal Ascot.
Standing at Kildangan Stud, Ireland at a fee of 25,000 euros, Night Of Thunder (IRE) stood one season at Darley’s Northwood Park leaving just 58 foals.
They included the Group III Blue Diamond Preview winner A Beautiful Night and the Listed Redoute's Choice takes winner River Night.
