On to the Derby - Tutukaka Impresses in the Geelong Classic

Mark Smith - Wednesday October 20

All roads lead to Flemington for $2million Group 1 Victoria Derby for Melody Belle's half-brother Tutukaka following his win Wednesday’s $200,000 Listed Geelong Classic (2200m).

Tutukaka captures the Geelong Classic (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Given a patient ride by Damian Lane, the Tony Pike-trained gelding came with a sweeping run from near the tail of the field after Grinzinger King had the field spread out by over 15 lengths in the middle stages.

Godolphin’s Teofilo colt Character took the lead shortly after turning for home. He tries to rally when tackled by Tutukaka but the Tavistock gelding had all the momentum and went on to win by three-quarters of a length.

The Exosphere gelding Phere The Ex was two and a half lengths back in third.

The winner of the Listed Tattersalls Life Member Stakes (1830m) at Eagle Farm last season at two, Tutukaka advances his record to two wins, two seconds, and a third from seven starts with earnings of $223,063.

At his most recent start, Tutukaka made the running when fifth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.

“He led up at a strong tempo with the blinkers and he was still a bit fresh last start. That run really brought him on,” Lane said.

“Credit to Tony Pike, he’s such a good trainer of these young stayers. Big thanks to Tony Noonan and his staff that are looking after him. He was really good today.

“I just thought (the pace) was perfect. When Tony said that we wanted to ride him a bit quieter I knew we wanted to ride him behind the speed and didn’t want to be doing the donkey work. But I thought it might have been the wrong day to do it.

“I didn’t think there’d be much tempo on paper and lucky for us it worked out that there was strong tempo and that was always going to suit this horse - a genuinely run 2200 metres. He was obviously strongest late.”

Tony Noonan said that Pike had entrusted him with looking after the son of Tavistock.

“I’ve been good mates with Tony (Pike) and known his family for more than 30 years. I was honoured for him to ring me but I’ve been under a bit of pressure, we haven’t been firing a shot,” Noonan said.

“Tony thought that from that gate it would be best getting some cover and Damien gave him a lovely ride and he got a lovely track into the race and hit the line impressively.

“He’s a lovely big horse and he relaxed beautifully today so he’s heading in the right direction (to the Derby).”

Tutukaka a $250,000 Karaka yearling

The half-brother to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle was purchased by his trainer for $250,000 out of Haunui Farm draft at the 2020 NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka.

He is the third winner from five to race out of the Iffraaj mare Meleka Belle a descendent of New Zealand's prolific "Belle" family.

The Written Tycoon Syndicate purchased her record-breaking daughter Melody Belle for $2,600,000 at the recent National broodmare Sale.

Bred and raced by Marie Leicester, Meleka Belle was the 15th and final named foal from the Sir Tristram mare Empress Belle.

Meleka Belle has a 2yo filly by Snitzel named My Annie Belle and was covered by Pierro last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Roderick Ins. Geelong Classic LR 2200m

Geelong Track: Good(4) Time: 2:16.90
1
Tutukaka
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Damian Lane 58
2
0.8
Character
- 3c Teofilo (IRE) x Monogram (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57
3
3.3
Phere The Ex
- 3g Exosphere (AUS) x High Country (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: H Coffey 57
4
3.4
King Of Pharaohs
- 3c American Pharoah (USA) x Miss With Attitude (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: W Gordon 57
5
5.7
Grinzinger King
- 3c Domesday (AUS) x Dom Perion (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: John Allen 57
6
7.2
Daario
- 3g Real Impact (JPN) x Email Me (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
7
14.2
Shabalala
- 3g Starcraft (NZ) x Durban (AUS) (Helenus (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Craig Williams 57
8
15.4
Max Fire
- 3g Star Turn (AUS) x Witwatersrand (IRE) (Unfuwain (USA))
Tnr: Travis Doudle Rdr: D Oliver 57
9
19.7
Magic Mikey
- 3g Zed (NZ) x Magic Tryst (NZ) (Magic Ring (IRE))
Tnr: S Foster Rdr: Declan Bates 57
10
23.4
Culloden Moor
- 3g Domesday (AUS) x Kilts (AUS) (Super Saver (USA))
Tnr: P G Carey Rdr: R Mc Leod 57
11
73.4
Celestial Fury
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Sister Celeste (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Mc Dougall 58
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Melody Belle Half-Brother Tutukaka Wins Taupo Cup
Tony Pike will press on with increased confidence toward loftier goals with Tutukaka after the son of Tavistock returned to winning ways in fine style on Friday.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Tavistock's Tutukaka to Target the Victoria Derby
Melody Belle's half-brother Tutukaka will target the Victoria Derby in the spring after breaking his maiden with little more than a working gallop in Saturday's Listed Tattersall's Life Member Stakes (1830m) at Eagle Farm.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.