TOP Victorian jockey Darren Gauci declared well-bred three-year-old filly Tula a horse with a future after she scored her maiden win in Launceston in April.
Longford trainer John Blacker now has the same opinion after the filly scored a game win in a strong maiden/class one plate over 1550 metres on the Derwent track at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last Sunday.
Tula (Brendon McCoull) produced a barnstorming finish to overpower tearaway leader Lord Stamford over the concluding stages to score by a half-neck with outsider best jet rattling home along the rails and only a half-length astern.
“I have been very impressed with this filly’s progress and I thought today’s win was an excellent way to finish off her three-year-old campaign,” Blacker said.
“She raced really well under lights at Mowbray and her previous start down here (Hobart) was her first try on the track.”
“She’s done a good job this time in and I’m hoping she can go on with it next preparation,” Blacker said.
Tula was bred by Armidale Stud and was passed in at the 2008 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale when bidding stopped at $15,000.
“We had a reserve of $30,000 on this filly because she is from a great family and we felt she was well worth the reserve,” said Armidale boss Robyn Whishaw.
“When she didn’t reach her reserve I was quite happy to take her home and race her in partnership with Tim Moye and David and Roslyn Symonds,” she said.
Tula is related to horses such as Brainpower and Our Nefertiti.
Last Sunday’s win by Tula also was a belated birthday present for the trainer’s daughter Laura who turned 16 last Saturday.