Photo: Kenton Wright, Race Images
Tevere recorded her second win at just her fourth start at Te Rapa on Friday when winning the Dunstan Recovery Mash 1200.
Bred and owned by Curraghmore Stud principal Gordon Cunningham, Tevere had displayed above average qualities when storming home to win her Maiden over 1200m in May, clocking the fastest final 600m of the day, and following near four months respite she delivered again.
Also aboard for the first win, jockey Michael McNab did a good job of negating an awkward barrier (10) to sneak cover in sixth and once angled clear at the 200m Tevere was true to her task with a strong finish.
Although Pam Gerard, who trains in partnership with Michael Moroney, felt Tevere would improve for the outing, she was pleased heading into the race.
“She was fresh and well to resume and had been jumping out of her skin at home,” she said. “We just needed to get her out and racing, and while expecting a bold run we also knew she would gain plenty of benefit from it.
“Her work had been good, even on an off track, and she’d shown ability to cope with footing in a similar range previously.
“It was a good effort to win fresh-up over 1200m and as the tracks get better we’d like to try her over 1400m and a mile.
“The draw was a bit sticky, but Michael (McNab, who rode four winners at the meeting) did a top job of finding a good spot and she got clear at the right time to beat a pretty good field.
“It’s the best track we’ve had available for some time, so the timing was right to get underway and hopefully she can go on with into the spring. She’s always shown plenty of natural ability.”
After breezing up in one of the fastest times (10.75), Tevere was subsequently withdrawn from the 2019 NZB Ready to Run Sale, a decision that appears a stroke of good luck.
Tevere, Italian for the river Tiber, 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, recording nine victories and more than $500,000 in prizemoney.
“She came home for a break in June because Pam (Gerard) wanted to give her some time out, without losing too much fitness, and she’s been very happy with her the whole way while getting ready to race again,” Cunningham said.
“I think it was a good race for its (Rating 65) category and the filly has definitely matured. She looks progressive. The winter to spring form can be two different categories and she’s definitely stepped up.
“Pam has been very patient with her, wanting to give a break to freshen her up and I’m delighted the filly has put her hand up again for her.” – NZ Racing Desk
