Jockey Matt McGillivray continued his wonderful year for feature race wins by placing Tambo’s Mate on a Magic Millions trail with a win in the Listed Recognition Stakes (1350m) at Doomben.
Tambo’s Mate ($5) was caught deep early but proved too strong in the straight to beat Vega One ($12) by a long-neck; Deep Image ($2.80) was a short-neck back in third.
It was Tambo’s Mate’s first win in open company, his first win in stakes class and trainer Stuart Kendrick is sure there will be more black-type races in store for the gelding.
“He really has come a long way this campaign. It is a credit to everyone associated with the horse and he has a lot of potential,” Kendrick said.
“I was thinking of trying to qualify him for the Magic Millions QTIS race but his rating might be too high now.
“Instead we might try to qualify him with a wide card for the Magic Millions Snippets as he is not a Millions horse.
Tambo’s Mate has now won seven of his 11 starts and earned more than $320,000 in prize money.
“His win also goes a long way to start thinking about the winter carnival,” Kendrick said.
McGillivray, who is fast closing in on 500 career wins, is having his best season to date for feature wins.
This was his 12th feature race win in 2019, a sequence which includes his first Group One win in the Queensland Oaks on Winning Ways.
“He has got a lot of ability and he beat a good field today after not having much luck early. He is a real athlete,” McGillivray said.
Baylee Nothdurft said his mount Vega One was also on the way to winning a stakes race this summer.
Jockey Robbie Fradd added Deep Image wasn’t the best to begin but he had led at a reasonable pace and then fought on fairly well.
The eye catching run of the race was Silvera who came from near last to be fourth after changing course in the straight.
