David Payne claimed last year’s Victoria Derby Gr.1 with Ace High and he’s got the artillery to win it again with Tarka.
The All Too Hard colt firmed into $15 for the Flemington classic after an outstanding victory in Saturday’s Stan Fox Stakes Gr.2 at Rosehill. “He’s a tough colt and just keeps getting better and better,” Payne declared. “He will stay all day and we will head towards the Gloaming Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes before going down to Melbourne.”
Tarka (3c All Too Hard – Gayika by Galileo) went into his first black-type test after two wins at Warwick Farm. He cut down Dealmaker with a scything finish to score by a short-head with short-priced favourite The Autumn Sun another length away in third place.
“He won with 61kg last time and that’s not easy,” jockey James McDonald said. “He improved again and toughed it out today. He’s untapped and looks a real chance for the Victoria Derby.”
A Kia-Ora Stud homebred, Tarka is a younger brother to All Too Hard’s South African winner Overdose. Their dam Gayika is a full-sister to Durban July Hcp Gr.1 winner Igugu and her yearling filly by Vinery sire Press Statement has also been sent to South Africa.
Tarka is the sixth stakes winner by All Too Hard and the Vinery sire unveiled another 3yo with potential when Prism won at Geelong on Friday.
The Lindsay Park debutante was a class above her rivals in the Bet365 Maiden Plate (1300m). “I like her – she did everything right,” jockey Regan Bayliss said. “She had trialled nicely at Flemington and showed massive improvement today. She sat outside the leader and quickened nicely in the straight.”
Prism’s dam Belscenica (Scenic) won 7 races in Melbourne and was Group 2 placed at Moonee Valley. She was catalogued by Vinery for the 2017 Inglis Easter yearling sale but failed to reach a $100,000 reserve.
“She a professional filly and really found the line,” Lindsay Park rep Bruno Rouge-Serret said. “She’s a nice type and will win again next time. We will let her set the bar but she will eventually get out to a mile and beyond.”
Belscenica’s colt by All Too Hard was purchased by Wattle Bloodstock agent Peter Twomey for $120,000 at this year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale and the mare has a new-season yearling filly by Headwater.