There’s a lot to like about the first three across the line in the Paul Perry Hcp (1300m) for 2-year-olds at Newcastle on Wednesday, won by the talented Tassort colt Last Command.
Ridden by Josh Parr for Michael Freedman, Last Command collared the game Justify (USA) colt Just Party in the final few strides to open his winning account by a half-neck.
Carrying the colours of Darby Racing, Last Command started a sensationally backed favourite on debut at Canterbury on February 16, finishing a troubled fifth.
The son of Tassort is a 3-time veteran of the sales ring.
A $55,000 purchase for Bayside Bloodstock when offered by his breeder Emirates Park at the National Weanling Sale, Last Command made $10,000 more when bought by Moorillah Pastoral from the Bell River Thoroughbreds draft at the Adelaide Magic Millions.
He came the way of Darby Racing, which had the final say at $160,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale when consigned by Nolen Racing.
Last Command is the third winner from as many to race for the winning Encosta de Lago mare Olympic Dream, a daughter of the dual Listed stakes-winner and multiple Group-placed Pinezero (Danzero).
A clue that Last Command was pleasing Darby Racing came when Darby Racing/Deburgh Equine paid $240,000 for a full-brother from the Emirates Park draft at the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
After missing in 2022, Olympic Dream was again covered by Tassort last spring.
Last Command is the fifth first-crop winner for Newgate Farm’s Tassort, breaking the tie with Alabama Express, Too Darn Hot (GB), Brutal, and Zousain.
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