A bit of nostalgia for Vinery Stud in Saturday’s Group III BTC Sprint at Doomben with the progeny of a couple of the stud’s stalwarts Mossman and Testa Rossa fighting out the finish.
It was Stuart Kendrick’s 4yo Mossman gelding Tambo’s Mate who edged out Robert Heathcote’s 6yo Testa Rossa gelding Deep Image in a thrilling battle.
The winner of the Listed Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes at Doomben in November, Tambo’s Mate began smartly for Matthew McGillivray.
After racing outside the leader Mishani Hustler, Tambo’s Mate took charge shortly after straightening. He looked to be in trouble when Samantha Thornton on Deep Image issued his challenge but he stuck to his guns resolutely to earn a short-half-head win with the favourite Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom) three-quarters of a length further back in third in a race that carries a ballot-free entry to the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap on June 6.
"We figured if he couldn't run well on Saturday he wouldn't be any chance in the Stradbroke," Kendrick told AAP.
"But he is in the Stradbroke field now and we know he can handle Eagle Farm.
"The Stradbroke will be tougher but Tambo's Mate is tough so we can have some fun."
A homebred for Dalan Tamblyn, Tambo’s Mate advances his record to 8 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third from 16 starts with earnings of $455,950.
He is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Brisbane winning Canny Lad mare Passagemaker who is a daughter of the Listed stakes-winner Georgia Belle (Clear Choice).
Passagemaker has an unraced 2yo colt by Choisir named Gunnerside who was purchased out of the Toolooganvale Farm draft by China Horse Club / Newgate Bloodstock for $125,000 at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
She has a weanling filly by Churchill (IRE) and was covered by Epaulette Last spring.
Tambo’s Mate is one of 41 stakes-winners for Mossman who earned an honourable pension in 2018.
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