TIA D'OR GETS THE VOTE WITH EXCITING DEBUT WIN

Beautifully bred, Tia d’Or (4 m Tavistock – Zarvana, by Zabeel) kept up a family tradition when winning on debut in the $10,000 Maiden 1600 metres on 4 November at Avondale.

A granddaughter of million dollar earner Giovana (Blues Traveller), the jewel in the crown for breeder Carol Marshall, who shares in the ownership of Tia d’Or with her sister Linda Farley and husband Graham Farley, Tia d’Or was a hot commodity ($2.00 & $1.30) after winning an Open trial over 1200 metres on the course three weeks prior.

Beginning well to trail, Tia d’Or displayed lack of ring craft and tentativeness taking a gap in the straight but she went bang late when rider Samantha Collett asked her to extend and the race was over in a couple of big bounds.

In the race sponsored by Marshall Stand – AJC Conference Centre, Tia d’Or produced a lovely preliminary before running the 1600 metres in 1:36.5 on footing upgraded earlier in the day to Good3.

“I was always going to get there and once she got clear of those two she kicked and then pricked her ears when she got away,”

Collett said. “It was awesome. She was a little bit raspy, but I don’t think it will ever worry her especially when she gets to a trip.

“The further she goes the better and gets into a rhythm. She’s gave me a real staying type feel. She’s just learning at the moment. The gas tank wasn’t empty when asking her to extend, but she was just not sure about kicking into the next gear. But, she showed me a glimpse of that when she got through the gap. She shot clear quickly and pricked her ears. She’s learning still.”

Stable-mate and half-sister Lily d’Or (Cape Blanco) was also a winner on debut, scoring in two of her first three starts to 1400 metres, for trainers Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard at Ballymore Stables.

Boasting royal bloodlines, out of a mare that resulted from the mating of Champion stallion Zabeel (Sir Tristram) and Giovana (Blues Traveller), Tia d’Or earned favouritism not only through winning an Open trial but also given her imposing physique.

A beautiful mare, Giovana won four Group 1 races, including the Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m), Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) and two weight-for-age races over 2000 metres, before leaving some highly sought after progeny. Her first foal, Chivana (Fusaichi Pegasus), made $350,000 in 2005 at Karaka, and four years later came sale topper Medici (Encosta De Lago) for $800,000. She has since had progeny sell for $200,000 and $310,000 respectively.

“I text Carol (Marshall) and told her that she looked really good before the race,” said Linda Farley, on course. “She looks beautiful.

“It’s hard getting a horse to the races, let alone win, but these days we’ve been very fortunate. She showed great acceleration and it was a beautiful ride by Sam (Collett). It’s nice when you’ve got a horse that can show some speed and give you a bit of a thrill. Sitting behind and all of a sudden she was able to accelerate and take off.”

Tia d’Or was strapped by Llama Reid.