Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani is giving serious thought
to sending his Kiwi-bred filly Tigeen home for a Group One opportunity.
He has the daughter of O'Reilly entered in the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand
1000 Guineas (1600m) and plans for a trip to Christchurch in November could
firm up later this week.
Tigeen continued a good run for Cumani with his 2016 Karaka purchases when she
was successful on debut at Benalla over 1400m earlier this month.
"I'm still working out what distance is best for her and if she can learn to
settle," he said.
"She ran a little keenly first-up so she's stepping up to a mile at Bendigo on
Thursday and that will give us a line on her.
"She's in the 1000 Guineas here, but that might come up a bit quickly for her
so the Guineas in New Zealand is a potential Group One target.
"She's owned by my parents so breeding is definitely the aim for her later on."
Cumani's mother Sara operates Fittocks Stud in England while his father Luca, an
internationally-successful trainer, has his stables at nearby Newmarket.
A $220,000 purchase out of Little Avondale Stud's draft, Tigeen was signed for
by Matt Cumani and bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.
She is out of the English-bred Green Desert mare Knocknacrea, who is from the
family of the Luca Cumani-trained Gr.1 Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m)
winner Markofdistinction.
"Of the five yearlings we bought at Karaka only one has disappointed, but he
needs more time," Matt Cumani said.
Greycliffe was purchased out of Lyndhurst Farm's consignment for $250,000 and
the Tavistock colt was successful at Casterton earlier this month.
"He's flying, he won a weak race, but he got out of some serious trouble on the
rail to win really well," Cumani said.
Redwood's son Mighty Quinn, purchased for $40,000 from Blackbridge's draft, has
placed in both of his runs and requires one scratching for a start in
Wednesday's VRC Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington.
Mighty Quinn and Greycliffe are both also entered in the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes
(1600m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Another New Zealand acquisition is Own Sweet Way, an Iffraaj gelding secured
for $110,000 from Trelawney Stud's draft, who has placed in both of his starts.–
NZ Racing Desk.