Headstrong filly Redbreast has been a work in progress, but jockey Tim Clark is optimistic they are finally winning the battle after her comprehensive victory at the Anzac Day meeting.
Clark has partnered the Tulloch Lodge three-year-old in all three starts and while she got the job done breaking her maiden at Hawkesbury in February, Clark was much happier with her racing manners in Thursday’s The Home Front Handicap (1400m).
“She is getting a little bit easier every time,” Clark said.
“A lot of credit goes to the guys that ride her in the morning. I had one go on her and it was a bit of a disaster.
“She was a lot more controllable today.
“She’s a filly with really good ability and the more she harnesses it, the better she is going to get.”
Redbreast ($1.90 betting fav) made a one-act affair of her Kensington track assignment, responding to a midrace move from Clark to quicken the tempo and sneak a break on the chasing pack.
She was at least six lengths in front rounding the home corner and remained strong to the line, scoring by 4-1/2 lengths over Agita ($11) with Until Valhalla third ($7).
Clark indicated the filly would now step up in journey with the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) the race trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott were steering her towards.
Redbreast is bred to run at least a middle distance being a daughter of American Pharoah, the same sire as dual Derby winner Riff Rocket.
Clark will head to Adelaide on Saturday where he will team up with three Waterhouse and Bott runners, including NZ Oaks winner Pulchritudinous in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).
