Reliable Man filly Annavisto (NZ) was an impressive winner at Mornington on Thursday for Caulfield trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
The three-year-old was well supported into $2.50 on debut and came from midfield to score a dominant three-length win under Damien Oliver in the Jane Neve Maiden Plate (1200m)
Sporting the colours of Bill Frost’s Pendant Equine, Annavisto was purchased out of Tony Pike’s stable in New Zealand after winning a trial at Te Teko over 800m and she will now be set on a Classic path.
“That was fantastic. You couldn’t have asked for a better debut,” Kent Jnr said.
“She was a little bit keen early, there wasn’t much tempo, but to do what she did vindicates what we think of her.
Bred by Greg Tomlinson, Annavisto is out of the Tavistock mare, Avisto and Kent Jnr is confident she will one day be an Oaks contender, but whether that is this spring’s Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) is yet to be determined.
“She’s a gorgeous type, she’s got so much scope,” Kent Jnr said.
“She’s bred to get an Oaks trip this filly, but she’s got a bit of speed, which she needs.
“We’ve got a circle around the Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) first, but we’ll see how far she gets being her first preparation.”
Tomlinson remains in the ownership which also includes Essendon footballers Jobe Watson (retired former captain), Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers.
Price and Kent Jnr will also unleash former Kiwi (My) Gold Bracelet (NZ) (Pins) in the Allan & Helen Angus Hcp (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, with the duo impressed by the last start winner of the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m).
