It was back to where it all started for the gallant 6-year-old Kermadec gelding Tuvalu, who humped his top weight of 61,5 kgs to victory in the $200,000 Listed The Midfield Group Wangoom Hcp (1200m) at Warrnambool on Wednesday.
Since making a winning career debut by seven lengths on the Warrnambool track in January 2001, the Lindsey Smith-trained gelding reached the pinnacle in the Group 1 MRC Toorak Handicap and has Group 1 placings in the Underwood Stakes, Champions Mile, and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Given a positive ride by Fred Kersley, Tuvulu was taken to the front after being caught three deep in the early stages.
Despite making his first run since failing in the Railway Stakes last November, Tuvalu kept up a relentless gallop to defeat the Group III Aurie's Star Handicap winner It'sourtime (Time For War) by one and a quarter length with Flash Flood (Night Of Thunder) back in third.
“He is undefeated here, and we have changed his training to keep him fresh,” Lindsey Smith said.
“I didn’t expect him to lead but it is one of those days that if you sit back you are no hope.
“I have been trying tio win this race from the first time I came here, if you throw enough darts one day it will turn your way.
“I think he will be going to Queensland, but it won’t be with me. I’ve got to stay home. They have a relationship with Chris Munce, so he must top that, with big boots to fill.”
A $200,000 purchase by Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) / L Smith out of the Merricks Station draft at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Tuvalu advances his record to nine wins, six seconds, and three thirds from 22 starts with earnings of $2,008,550.
He is the best of three winners from four to race out of Exceed And Excel mare Hangin’ Tough, whose stakes-placed dam Ancelin (Sadler’s Wells) is a half-sister to Darley Stud’s blue hen Accessories, the dam of Epaulette, Helmet, Bullbars, Pearls and Pericles.
Tony Noonan paid $40,000 for an Impending half-sister to Tuvulu consigned by Merricks Station to the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Newgate will offer Tuvalu’s half-sister You Oughta Know (Lonhro) to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale (lot 580).
Hangin’ Tough has a yearling colt by Capitalist and was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.
