Tarzino’s abundantly talented daughter Tomodachi produced an emotionally charged result when she won the opening event on the Te Rapa card.
She was untested to extend her winning sequence in the age group event over 1600 metres on Saturday for Wexford Stables and owner Sir Peter Vela, who bred the filly.
Tomodachi is prepared by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and represented a poignant moment in the wake of the recent passing of Lance’s father Dave.
“On behalf of Team Wexford, we want to thank everyone for their support and messages, it means a lot to us,” Scott said.
Tomodachi has now won three of her four starts with her only defeat coming when third on debut and connections are now looking to the Queensland winter carnival.
“She’s a really good filly and won with a bit in hand so hopefully we can take her to Brisbane,” Scott said.
“She’s a promising stayer and will make a Group horse in time.”
The three-year-old drifted back in the field before picking up ground across the top and she lengthened stride impressively in the run home to win with authority.
“She was fantastic and did everything right. She settled well and I let her build into the race,” successful jockey Warren Kennedy said.
“When she hit the front, she was looking around and waiting for something to challenge.”
Tomodachi is out of the High Chaparral mare Quintessentially, who is a granddaughter of the four-time Group 1 winner champion stayer Ethereal.