Progressive filly Tomodachi provided a fitting result in the opening event at Te Rapa on Saturday, a day where one of the greats of the New Zealand training ranks was remembered after the passing of Dave “DJ” O’Sullivan twenty-four hours earlier.
The Sir Peter Vela-bred and owned daughter of Tarzino is trained by O’Sullivan’s legendary jockey and now trainer son Lance, in partnership with Andrew Scott and as she hit the line in front there were many dabbing away tears at the result.
Guided to perfection by National Jockeys’ premiership leader Warren Kennedy, Tomodachi came with an irresistible finish to score comfortably from Taranaki visitor Bridal Train and Solidify in the three-year-old 1600m contest.
Scott was quick to thank racing fans for their kind wishes to the O’Sullivan family and Wexford Stable staff after the race.
“It was great for all the team at home and on behalf of team Wexford we’d like to thank everyone for their support and messages as it means a lot to us,” Scott said.
“What a promising filly she is for Sir Peter as she won with a bit in hand and hopefully we can take her to Brisbane with a bit of confidence after a chat with Sir Peter.
“She is a very promising stayer and will make a Group (stakes) horse in time as she has just quickened so well today.
“We’ve had to teach her to stay, so to see her kick on is great and she is bred to go a lot further.”
Tomodachi is out of Vela’s lightly raced High Chaparral mare Quintessentially and comes from a female line that includes horses of the calibre of multiple Group One winner Ethereal and Hong Kong Cup (1600m) winner Romanee Conti.
Kennedy was full of praise for the effort.
“She was just fantastic and was a real treat today as she did everything right,” he said.
“She settled really well and when I let her build into the race she quickened nicely.
“She was looking around and waiting for a challenge after I hit the front as she wanted something to chase.”
Tomodachi has now won three races in a row after finishing third at Taupo on debut.
The win equalled the O’Sullivan/Scott partnership’s previous best for a season of 49 wins, with three months of the current racing season still to come.
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