Tasmanian owned and bred filly Tough Chik staked her claim on the Tasmanian oaks when she powered her way to victory in the Strutt Stakes over 2100 metres at Tattersall’s Park last Saturday.
Tough Chik (Kelvin Sanderson) was up against a quality line-up of well-performed interstate three-year-old fillies but made the task look easy as she stalked the leaders to the home turn before delivering the knockout blow to her rivals at the business and of proceedings.
The Roysten Carr-trained filly has been impressive at all of her five outings winning three and being placed second to Good Boy Robert over a short trip and her fourth in the Thousand Guineas in Launceston was full of merit.
She was well ridden by Kelvin Sanderson who has been riding in career best form this year.
Tough Chik is owned by Libby Long who has had some heartache with her horses losing a half-brother to Tough Chik at an early age and she also had misfortune with another gelding that promised a lot before suffering a career-ending injury.
Tough Chik will now progress to the $150,000 PFD Food Services Tasmanian Oaks over 2100 metres in Launceston on February 17.