Tel Aviv broke through for her first win at Mornington on Sunday and could now be set for a Group assignment, with a trip to Adelaide on the cards for the promising filly.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, the three-year-old led from start to finish under Ben Allen to claim the 2050-metre maiden by two lengths over Just Landed.
The win came at her fifth career start, and Allen believes there’s plenty more to come once she gets on a bigger track.
“On paper, she was the best horse in the race, and I rode her like that,” Allen told Racing.com.
“Once we hit the crossing, she spat the bit out and relaxed nicely. I was more worried about getting her around the bend – she’s got a big stride.
“She was getting a bit unbalanced, but she was too good today. When you’re winning, that’s all you can do.”
While acknowledging the race lacked depth, Allen was impressed by how she went about her work and expects her to improve further with experience.
“She didn’t beat much today, but the way she did it was nice,” he said.
“She’ll probably be better on a bigger track, and with a few to follow, she was a bit green in front. Adelaide’s a big, wide-open track, and if anyone’s going to get her there, it’ll be Ciaron.”
A trip to Morphettville for the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) or the Group 3 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) is now on the radar.
Horse racing news
