Coming out on top in Wednesday’s $100,000 ATC Tab Plate (1400m) at Rosehill, the Gary Portelli trained 3yo Russian Revolution filly Long Legs broke her maiden in the style of a filly destined for bigger and better races.
Jumping away the favourite off the back off two October barrier trial wins, apprentice jockey Anna Roper jumped from barrier 11 aboard Long Legs, going forward to take up the running with Ciaron Maher’s debut runner Six Kings (Wootton Bassett) following her across from the outside barrier to sit in second.
Still leading as the field came into the home straight, it was clear Long Legs had more to offer than Six Kings who had started to weaken, while the Cambridge Stud colour-bearer Yattazou (Zoustar) came off the leader’s back to make a challenge.
Appearing to appreciate the soft seven rated track, Long legs just kept going, pulling clear in the run to the line to win by just under two lengths from the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexio trained Matias (Snitzel) who worked home well after settling three back on the rail.
“You thought this is going to be probably a gap job here, but she did get a little bit tired late,” said Portelli post-race.
“She's a very promising horse, and we're really thankful for BK Racing giving the opportunity.
“I've been chasing Benny Vassallo for a long time to get one, and he's given me a good one straight up. So thanks very much to the team at BK Racing. Let's hope there's more to come."
Having already handle wet conditions previously, Portelli was confident she’d be ok on the deteriorating surface.
“Yes, she'd already handled it last preparation, so she'd had that under her.
"But She runs pretty steady time in there, 1:27, I think. So, it's pretty wet.
"You'd have to think after the back of just two trials in a heavy track, 1,400m, she'd get a bit tired late.
“But I'm looking forward to seeing where she ends up this filly. I think she can get black type and race her up.”
Originally purchased for $180,000 by Coventry Bloodstock from the Davali Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Long Legs was then consigned through the Maluka Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where she was purchased by B K Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd for $250,000.
Bred by Bowcock Bloodstock, Long Legs is the second winner from four to race for Fastnet Rock mare Fabvier, herself a half-sister to the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes winner Bella Rosa (Snitzel) from the family of multiple stakes winner Prom Queen (Super Easy) and Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Catnipped (Rory’s Jester).
Fabvier has since produced a filly by Capitalist with the unraced 2yo named Fabvier Rose while the mare foaled a colt by Tassort in 2024 and after missing to Tiger Of Malay last season, there will unfortunately be no foal this season.
Russian Revolution, who is standing this season at a fee of $33,000 (inc. GST) at Newgate Farm, is the sire of 23 stakes performers and will be represented this coming Saturday by the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Libertad in the Group 3 G.H. Mumm Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
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