New Zealand-bred gelding Tenzing (NZ) (Contributer) took his career to new heights with a first black-type win in Saturday’s A$300,000 Listed Jones & Co IGA Brisbane Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old has now won seven of his 29 starts, along with three seconds and nine thirds. He has earned A$443,221 for an Australian Bloodstock syndicate.
Tenzing got into Saturday’s Brisbane Mile on the minimum weight of 53kg and jumped from gate one. He was given a perfect ride by Regan Bayliss, who saved ground along the rail.
All eyes were on Williamsburg in the straight as he drew up alongside the front-running Just Folk (Magnus), but then Tenzing drove through on their inside and took command. He kicked clear and kept going strongly to the line to beat the late-finishing Miss Joelene by half a length.
“He’s the sort of horse that can always be competitive in a good race like this if he gets a low draw that allows him to have a soft run, which he got for this race,” Gollan said.
Tenzing was bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, best known in recent times as the breeder of 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).
The 12th individual stakes winner for former Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer, Tenzing is a son of Mizen Peak. That Fastnet Rock mare is a half-sister to the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) winner Francaletta (High Chaparral) as well as the multiple Listed winner and Gr.1 Royal Ascot Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) placegetter Asset.
Leanach Lodge offered Tenzing in Book 2 of Karaka 2020, where he failed to meet his $20,000 reserve. He was subsequently put up for sale on Gavelhouse.com and sold for $4,400. Tenzing began his career with six starts for Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers in 2022, recording a pair of 1400m victories at Riccarton and Otaki before his sale to Australian Bloodstock.