Tulloch Lodge has unearthed a potential Gr.1 ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) filly after lightly raced Feminino (NZ) (Tivaci) graduated to stakes company in winning the Gr.3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m).
Feminino, having her first start since breaking maiden ranks at Warwick Farm in early February, covered extra ground before prevailing in a four-way finish over 1600m.
She had a nose to spare from the $101 chance Burn The Sky (Zoustar) with Profoundly (Farnan) close-up in the minor placing and Long Legs (Russian Revolution) a similar margin away in fourth.
Feminino was a $320,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from breeders Waikato Stud and races for well-known owner Judi Wanless who also won last week’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) with homebred Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus).
She is the first foal from the stakes-placed Savabeel mare Magazine, who won three of her 14 starts when trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace,
“(We’ve) always held her in quite high regard,” jockey Tim Clark said.
“She’ll definitely get further and obviously a race like the Adrian Knox (Gr.3, 2000m) could be right on her radar now.
“And who knows, she could get to an Oaks trip.”