This impressive debut winner is bred to win an Oaks, but her immediate goal will be the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas.
By Reliable Man (GB), the sire of last year’s VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound, three year-old filly Annavisto was sent out favourite for the 1200m maiden and cruised home to win by three lengths.
Annavisto is trained by Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr, who have high hopes for the filly, who runs for a partnership that includes her breeder Nearco Stud and the Frost family’s Pendant Equine, in whose colours she runs.
“That was fantastic. You couldn’t have asked for a better debut,” said Mick Kent Jnr.
“She was a little bit keen early, there wasn’t much tempo, but to do what she did vindicates what we think of her.
“She’s a gorgeous type, she’s got so much scope. She’s bred to get an Oaks trip this filly, but she’s got a bit of speed, which she needs.
“We’ve got a circle around the Guineas first, but we’ll see how far she gets being her first preparation.”
Annavisto is the first winner for Tavistock stakes-winner Avisto, a half-sister to stakes-winner Celtic Tiger from the family of Group II winner Pure Harmony.
Annavisto is the first runner to be sired by Reliable Man from a daughter of Tavistock, a cross that could easily become very popular in New Zealand if Annavisto makes the grade in stakes company.
A stunning looking grey son of Dalakhani, Westbury Stud's Reliable Man has sired 13 stakes-winners in total with his two best performers being the Group I Oaks winners Miami Bound and Sentimental Miss.