Group One targets are in the offing for Tajana after she broke through for her maiden win in the AKW Farrier LTD 2YO (1200m) at Matamata on Wednesday.
All eyes were on sale-topping juvenile Hostility ahead of the race, with the $1.65 million Karaka purchase jumping a short-priced $1.30 favourite, but it was The Oaks Stud-bred and raced Tajana who came out on top.
The daughter of Darci Brahma jumped well from her ace draw before settling three back on the rail where she enjoyed and economical trip before improving to sit in the trail from the 400m.
She peeled off leader Heloisa’s back at the top of the straight and entered a duel with Hostility down the straight, with her raceday experience telling against the debutant in the concluding stages to win by a head.
Cambridge horseman Shaune Ritchie, who trains the filly in partnership with Colm Murray, was pleased with the victory, but believes she is a filly that will improve with time.
“It was a beautiful ride from Sam (Spratt, jockey),” Ritchie said. “It is pretty hard to beat Te Akau colours at Matamata, and he (Hostility) is a magnificent colt, but she had that bit of experience and that counts for a lot.”
It was Tajana's third raceday appearance, having finished runner-up behind subsequent Group One winner Return To Conquer in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie last month, and now an elite-level target awaits her later this month in the form of the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham.
“The way she is going it (Sires’ Produce) is very tempting,” Ritchie said. “She has got a nom for it and if she does go to that, that will be it from there (this season).
“Even if she can run a place in a Group One that would be fantastic. She has got that Group placing at Ellerslie, so a little bit more would be nice.”
While a Sires’ Produce tilt is likely, Ritchie believes she will be a more natural three-year-old and has eyed the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November as her primary objective.
“I really see her as a 1000 Guineas filly next season,” he said. “She has got a magnificent nature, she is a real sweetheart to deal with and I think there is a lot more ahead of her than a maiden here.”
Spratt shares Ritchie’s sentiments and believes Tajana will be an ominous force in the spring.
“She is going to be a beautiful filly next season, she is probably doing it on natural ability at the moment, she still has a bit to learn,” she said.
“I wouldn’t say she is a natural two-year-old running type, she managed to hold her ground just and stuck on nicely.
“The Sires’ might come up a little quick, but while you are going you have got to go for it. I think she is definitely one to follow next season that’s for sure.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
