The $250,000 Group III Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on Friday delivered another big race win for popular trainer Bjorn Baker and leading rider Rachel King with talented El Roca mare Perfumist scoring a dominant victory.
First up from a spell, Perfumist had been trialling well leading into this assignment and enjoued a good run off the pace before surging to the lead with a furlong to run.
She powered to the line and opened up a margin to win by two and a half lengths in the OTI Racing colours.
At her last run before a spell, Perfumist won the Wellington Showcase Cup which carried Big Dance eligibility and that rich spring race is now firmly in her sights.
“It’s fantastic, Bjorn has done an amazing job. She hasn't had the best first-up record, and he did things differently this time leading in and gave her an exhibition gallop and a couple of good gallops at home, and it paid off,” said stable representative Luke Hilton.
“She really set the track alight at the Kenso (track, exhibition gallop) last week, and it was hard to believe the time she ran, so we always knew she was going well.”
A $190,000 NZB Ready to Run purchase for Bjorn Baker Racing / OTI / Phill Cataldo Bloodstock / Clarke Bloodstock from Westbury Stud, Perfumist has the overall record of eight wins and four seconds from 21 starts with prizemoney topping $800,000.
Group III placed in the ATC Angst Stakes last year behind subsequent Group I winner Idle Flyer, this win is her first in a stakes race and Luke Hilton was pleased to tick that box.
“She's got a lovely pedigree She is really on target now to go back to the Angst and then off to a Big Dance ($2million, November 3) later in the year,” he said.
Bred by Gerry Harvey, Perfumist is the first foal of Tapputi, an unraced Swiss Ace mare from the family of Golden Slipper winner Polar Success.
Perfumist is the 15th stakes-winner for Westbury Stud based El Roca.
