Under a copybook ride by Luke Nolen, Shadwell Farm's homebred Lonhro filly Taraayef flagged her spring credentials with a hard-fought win in Saturday's Hygain Tracktorque Handicap (1000m).
Coming off an 11-week hiatus after winning at Sandown on May 15, Taraayef came from midfield and looked set for an easy win but found a willing opponent in the Street Boss (USA) filly Rumble Doll who fell a neck short with the topweight Absolute Flirt a length and three-quarters back in third. (image Grant Courtney ).
The Lindsay Park-trained filly moved her record to two wins and a second from three starts and co-trainer Ben Hayes said the stable is hopeful she will be a Thousand Guineas filly. He revealed that the daughter of Lonhro would return to The Valley on August 24 before making her stakes debut in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes on September 7.
"For the moment we'll keep her to the sprint distances as she was dominant here and she likes The Valley," Hayes told AAP.
"It was a good strong win as she looked like she star-gazed once she hit the front.
"We'll get through her next couple of runs here and hopefully she might stretch out and prove to be a Thousand Guineas filly."
Luke Nolen is also hopeful that Taarayef will be a player in the spring.
"Hopefully it's a deep form race because I've hitched my wagon to her for the spring," Nolen said.
"She'll improve off that fitness wise as she was getting a little tired in the final stages."
A half-sister to Listed winner Haybah (More Than Ready) and the stakes-placed Muraahib (Reset), Taarayef is the fifth winner from as many foals to race out of the Exceed And Excel mare Sultah.
The winner of three of her five starts, Sultah was purchased by Shadwell for $300,000 out of the Mill Park draft at the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She is a half-sister to Group 1 Victoria Derby and Group 1 South Australia Derby winner Rebel Raider and the Group III winner Shamoline Warrior (Shamardal) and Listed Werribee Cup winner Cadillac Mountain (Reset).
Sultah has a 2yo Medaglia d'Oro (USA) filly that was purchased out of the Yarraman Park Stud draft by RMA Bloodstock Trust / D Redvers for $170,000 at this year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Sultah missed to I Am Invincible in 2017 and to Spirit Of Boom last year.
