Is He Another Derby Winner for Tavistock

Mark Smith - Wednesday September 27

Two New Zealand- breds on a mission to the Victoria Derby fought out a thrilling head-bobbing finish in Wednesday's Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington.

The Anthony Freedman-trained Tavistock gelding Tavistock Abbey edged out the Reliable Man gelding Main Stage by a nose with Snitzel colt Mutamayel four lengths back in third.

Carrying the colours made famous by Super Impose, Tavistock Abbey was coming off a maiden win over 1600 metres at Bendigo on September 14.


"He's definitely going the right way," winning jockey Luke Currie said.

"His last win was really good. He got there a bit soon and he put them away fairly quick.

"I thought today he was not quite suited to be ridden right up behind them and waiting for the run to show that turn of foot. I think he appreciated the room to blend into the race last time. He probably would have won better today if he had that.

"It was obviously a nice win and he is on track."

Those sentiments were back up by Anthony Freedman.

"He's a nice horse. The (Victoria Derby) is the obvious way to go," Freedman said.

"He's got to keep doing it as they all do. He was strong today, he wasn't quite as dominant as he was at Bendigo but he got the job done and he will improve off it.   

"We've got various options - we can go the Caulfield Classic, the Vase, Geelong (Classic), we'll just plot a course on the way to the Derby. If we are happy with him on Derby day he will run, if it comes a bit quick with him we'll wait for the autumn.

"He should only get better as they get longer.

Consigned by Rich Hill Stud to the 2016 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Tavistock Abbey (pictured as a yearling) was knocked down to Freedman Racing for $200,000.

He is the eighth foal and first winner of the Zabeel mare Surreal a winner over 1600 metres and a sister to Listed winner Royal Era.

Surreal's granddam Todor Flash (Oakville) is a half-sister to dual Group I winner Todor Light (All A'Light) the dam of Group I South Australian Oaks and Group I Australasian Oaks heroine Our Tristalight (Sir Tristram).

Surreal has a 2yo colt by Super Easy. After slipping to Proisir in 2015 she was covered by Jimmy Choux last spring.

Cambridge Stud's Montjeu stallion Tavistock has the 2015 Victoria Derby winner Tarzino and the 2016 ATC Australian Derby winner Tavago on his CV already and looks well placed to add to that record. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Proisir Mare Wins G3 Manawatu Cup
The Allan Sharrock training polish was to the fore again at Trentham on Saturday when classy mare Islington Lass stepped up to a middle distance for the first time in her 16-start career to score a clear-cut victory in the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m).
Verdi's Gritty Goldman wins Pakenham Cup
One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Goldman has bounced back to winning form for the first time in more than 18-months when leading throughout to score in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday.
First Australian Stakes Winner for Blue Point With Tough Juvenile
Blue Point had his long awaited first Australian stakes winner when tough two-year-old filly Icarian Dream overcame a slipped saddle to take the Group III Magic Millions B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
G2 Winner Brings Magic Update for Yarramalong Park
Stakes-placed at three of his past four starts, progressive American Pharoah (USA) gelding In Good Order broke through for his first Black Type win in the Group II WATC Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) at Ascot on Saturday bringing a massive pedigree update for his yearling half brother headed to Magic Millions for Yarramalong Park.
Sires With Winners - Saturday December 21
Here is the full list of 95 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
No Shock in Supernova
The good times keep on rolling for connections of winning machine Here To Shock(NZ) (Shocking) who plundered the inaugural A$1 million Supernova at Pakenham over his favoured 1400m distance for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes.
Marotiri Molly Wins G2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes
Matt Dixon collected his biggest win as a solo trainer when his much-improved mare Marotiri Molly ran away with the Gr.2 Bramco Granite & Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Another Stakes Win For This Burly Enigma - Leave The Whip At Home
Enigmatic is a word often bandied about in racing but it certainly sits well upon the ample shoulders of Cannonball, a big odds winner of the Listed Magic Millions Falvelon at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
First Stakes success for Savabeel's Gold Bullion
Four-year-old gelding Gold Bullion dug deep to stave off all challengers when leading throughout to land the Listed Seven Members Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
New SW Derryn - Leica Lucy Wins G3 Eulogy
The familiar combination of trainer Robbie Patterson and jockey Craig Grylls continued their outstanding success rate in stakes races when promising filly Leica Lucy took out the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.