Reappearing for the first time since disappointing in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm last June, the 5yo Reliable Man (GB) mare Annavisto made a one-act affair of the Group III Tony Bourke Memorial (1400m) at Flemington.
Dominating from the front under Jamie Kah, the Mick Price and Micael Kent Jnr-trained mare won for the first time since capturing the race last year when called the Frances Tressady Stakes.
Annavisto kept up a relentless gallop to defeat Wrote To Arataki (Wrote) by three and a half lengths, with Excelida (Exceed And Excel) three-quarter lengths back in third.
With her third stakes success and runner-up in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes, the 5yo daughter of Reliable Man advances her record to seven wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $801,975.
“I thought she’d be a bit vulnerable first-up, but she does run above herself fresh, Michael Kent Jnr said.
“We were hoping that (Dean) Yendall wouldn’t do that (on Wrote To Arataki). Naughty boy there pushing her.
“Hoping she’s not flat second-up. We’re going to a Group 1 in three weeks’ time.”
Bred by part-owner Nearco Stud’s Greg Tomlinson and carrying the colours of Bill Frost, Annavisto is the best of three winners from four to race for the stakes-winning Tavistock mare, Avisto.
A half-sister to Listed Morphettville Guineas winner Celtic Tiger (O’Reilly), Avisto’s colt by Ocean Park was a $100,000 purchase for John O'Shea Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Curraghmore draft at Karaka in January.
Avisto was covered by Vadamos (FR) in 2021.
