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Melody Belle’s half-brother Tutukaka wins Tattersall’s Life Member Stakes on Saturday
The late Cambridge Stud sire Tavistock (Montjeu) sired his 31st stakes winner on Saturday when Tutukaka (2 g ex Meleka Belle by Iffraaj) broke his maiden in the Tattersall’s Life Member Stakes (Listed, 1830m) at Eagle Farm. It was the gelding's second start in Australia having finished second in The Phoenix (Listed, 1500m) at Eagle Farm three weeks ago.
On Saturday, the Tony Pike-trained gelding was ridden again by Michael Cahill and sat outside the leader before he raced away to post a four length victory over Balmaurice (Maurice). General Wolffe (Wolf Cry) was another three and a quarter lengths back in third.
Tutukaka has now raced four times, placing in his three prior starts and his long-term aim could now be the Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) in the spring.
“He relaxed beautifully. I said to Michael before the race that Tony rang me to say to take bad luck out of the equation and race outside the leader,” said Chris McNab, assistant trainer to Tony Pike.
“This is the race he came here for, so we couldn’t be happier.
“He’s probably still six months away and the idea was to bring him here to Queensland and get his rating up to get him to the Derby in Melbourne.
“He will fly him back home on Tuesday week.
“Tony doesn’t miss anything. He had this race in mind, then head to Melbourne, so we are on track.”
Like his 14-time Group One winning half-sister Melody Belle (Commands), Tutukaka was bred by Marie Leicester and sold through Haunui Farm’s draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale to Pike Racing for NZ$250,000.
Tutukaka becomes the third winner and second stakes winner for his dam who produced a Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) filly last year before being covered by Coolmore’s Pierro (Lonhro) last November. She also has a yearling filly by Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice).
Tavistock died in 2018 following a freak paddock accident.