WINS FLOWING FOR TEVERE

Extending tremendous course record, Tevere (4 m Contributer – Italian Princess, by Bertolini) impressed again winning $40,000 Adashiko Fashion Stakes Rating 74 1200 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Impressive in course/distance Maiden when storming down centre track in May, Tevere won Rating 65 1200 metres and half-head second to subsequent Levin Stakes (Listed, 1200m) winner Rose ‘N’ Power (Power) in October and November, respectively, at Te Rapa, and made it three wins and second from five starts.

Aboard for both previous victories, Michael McNab utilized barrier three to settle fifth and she travelled easily despite the field chasing a tearaway leader. Presented on straightening, Tevere worked through the gears to unleash a storming finish.

“She travelled nice the whole way and when I asked her to let down she was really good,” McNab said. “That would be one of her better wins and I think she’s getting more professional. Mentally, she’s getting a lot better and she let down very well. She’s going places.

Going places indeed, as Tevere could now prepare for $80,000 Hallmark Stud Handicap (Listed, 1200m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

“She needed to run today and ideally win to look toward the Hallmark,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard, after saddling her third winner this week for Ballymore Stables.

“I said to Mike (Moroney), when we were looking at going 1400 metres with her, I’ve got a gut feeling at 1200 metres that if she won today we could have a go at a decent sprint race.

“It was a top ride by Michael (McNab). I looked at the field and thought from the draw (3) it could play into our hands. Knowing she was on the fresh side, when she jumped as well as she did I thought, crikey, don’t overdo it, but having that pace in there gave her a chance to take a breath.

“We don’t make plans on race day, so we’ll get her home and see how she eats up. She’s not the easiest to deal with, so as long as she’s happy and going in the right direction then that’s where she’ll go.

“She’s got a big future and we just have to be patient.”

On lovely Dead4 footing, Tevere clocked 1:10.2, last 600m 35.4, and shortened in betting from an early $3.80 fixed odds quote to pay $3.00 & $1.40 on NZ TAB tote.

The win provided a memorable two days for owner/breeder Gordon Cunningham (Curraghmore Stud), after debutante three-year-old filly Let’s Say Grace (Charm Spirit) won on Friday at Tauranga, for the same jockey/trainer combination, while also unveiling new Curraghmore colours: bottle green, cerise hooped sleeves, white cap.

Deputising for his father, who was busy working on the farm, Patrick Cunningham accepted the spoils for Tevere.

“First and foremost, thank you to the sponsor and it’s great to be present to see her win,” he said.

“We’re really pleased with the way she’s progressing and full credit to the trainer and jockey for the patient approach they’ve taken with her and getting her to where she is today.”

Always showing natural ability, Tevere was withdrawn from 2019 NZB Ready to Run Sale after breezing up in one of the fastest times (10.75) – a decision reaping benefits.

Italian for the river Tiber, Tevere is the fifth foal from Italian Princess, all bred by Cunningham, and she became the fourth individual winner from the stakes winning mare that recorded five victories, including three at Te Rapa.

Italian Princess is a half-sister to dual stakes winner Defibrillate (Shocking), with grand-dam Our Chickaroonie bred and raced by Graeme and Linda McInteer and trainer Graham Richardson.

McNab also paid dues to the efforts of track manager Bart Cowan and his team. “It’s unreal the job he’s done, he’s a superstar and the track is racing incredibly well at every meeting”.

Tevere was strapped by Michael Thompson.