Coming off a hugely impressive win when making her seasonal debut at Warwick Farm on October 24, Godolphin's progressive Medaglia d'Oro filly Pohutukawa staged a stunning last to first performance in the Listed Jim Beam Black Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
With William Buick in the saddle, the James-Cummings-trained 3yo was dawdling back in the field with all of her 14 opponents in front of her as the field turned into the home straight.
Switched to the centre of the track by Buick, Pohutukawa picked off one runner after another down the long Flemington straight to defeat Madam Rouge (Zoustar) by one and a quarter lengths with Into The Abyss (Foxwedge) a long-head back in third. (photo Grant Courtney )
"She's a beautiful Medaglia d'Oro filly and she's progressed nicely for us.
"It was a barnstorming win against the older mares at Warwick Farm and I really liked that coming back to 3yo fillies in a Listed race today.
"William had to be patient from the barrier and not risk being wide. "She chimed in like a really good filly with big strides and I think she has a really nice future."
Pohutukawa is the first winner for the Redoute's Choice mare Lumina who was the first foal bred by Darley after the purchase of her dam Chiara from the late Ken Turner.
Chiara had been a grand producer for Turner, leaving the multiple Group II winner Chinchilla Rose, Group II Ascot Vale Stakes winner Ferocity and Group III winner Leone Chiara the dam of Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner and successful sire Star Witness and the multiple Group III winner Nostradamus.
Chiara kept up the good work for Darley by producing the Listed ATC Darby Munro Stakes winner Chiaramonte who is a full-brother to Lumina.
After producing a full-sister to Pohutukawa last spring, Lumina foaled a filly by Teofilo (IRE) on September 19.
Pohutukawa becomes the 117th stakes-winner for Medaglia d'Oro (USA) whose eight years shuttling to Australia came to an end this year.
