Tuileries shouldered a weight-carrying record, overcame a wide barrier and defeated a top class field of mares in the Group 3 $250,000 Dark Jewel Classic (1300m) at Scone on Saturday.
Champion Peter Snowden’s talented Tuileries turned a formidable task into a routine triumph with a win described as “breathtaking” by jockey Chad Schofield.
“That was a special win,” Schofield said.
“I had drawn so wide (15) that I wasn’t sure where I was going to get to early.”But she flew out of the barriers then I ‘reverse parked’ into the first position I could.
“Then she just spat that bit out and that is something a little new to her as she was usually a bit aggressive.
“She has turned th corner and developed into a lovely mare. When she relaxes likes that she has a breathtaking turn of foot.”
Tuileries ($10), raced by Jonathn Munz of Giga Kick fame, came with a wide run in the straight and swept to a brilliant win by a widening three-quarters of a length Luvnwar ($11) with Yes Lulu ($26) a half length away third.
Melody Again ($13), who was attempting to become the first to win successive Dark Jewel Classics, was a conspicuous last on settling down and still had all the field in front of her on the turn before sneaking through along the inside rail to run fourth.
Surfin’ Bird ($2.45 favourite) was a touch slow to being but rallied through to settle third on the fence with the run of the race. She hit the front at the 300m but was swamped late and finished fifth.
But all honours to Tuileries as she was burdened with 59.5kg and broke the race weight-carrying record previously held by Nanny Maroon when she won under 58.5kg in 2001.
Schofield said Tuileries Dark Jewel Classic win has convinced him the mare is capable of mixing it at a higher level in the Brisbane winter carnival.
“The feel she gave me there with a big weight is one of a very good mare,” Schofield said.
Tuileries gave Snowden a record fourth win in the Dark Jewel Classic after previous successes with Shannara (2011), Rio Osa (2009) and Sung (2008).
Snowden was at Doomben yesterday but he had plenty to celebrate with at Scone with a stable feature race double after also training Miss Freelove to win the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m).
Tuileries, a daughter of champion racehorse and sire So You Think, is a lightly-raced four-year-old mare who has only had 14 starts, winning five races for more than $540,000 prizemoney – with the promise of more to come.
Snowden’s assistant trainer Arron Lau said Tuileries has earned her chance at the Group 2 $300,000 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) and Group 1 $700,000 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) in Brisbane during the winter carnival.
Lau pointed out that the Snowden-trained Tashi ran second in the Dane Ripper Stakes and then won the Tattersall’s Tiara last year but Tuileries boasts superior form going into the Brisbane carnival.
“I’m delighted for the mare, she’s a beautiful mare,” Lau said.
“It was an excellent ride by Chad from that draw, he has the best hands and never panicked.
“She could go a bit hard early in her preparation but Chad has worked her out and that was a terrific result.
“The Dane Ripper Stakes and Tattersall’s Tiara is the logical option. We did it last year with Tashi and this mare is probably a bit more classy.”
