Tattersall’s Tiara (Group 1)

DUBLIN-born Tom Sherry and Tashi broke through for their maiden Group 1 wins at Eagle Farm on Saturday in the Tattersall’s Tiara.

A full field of 17 faced the starter at the 1,400m mark, as trackside punters waved away the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Tashi as an $8 chance, despite a very narrow second in the Group 2 Dane Ripper two weeks earlier to the locally-trained Floozie, who was shooting for five in a row.

Leading at the top of the straight, Floozie, the race favourite, looked to have plenty in hand crossing the 300m mark, but the lights soon went out.

Charging into the frame from midfield, Tashi hit the front 200m out, Sherry turning the screws as the pair rode away for a two-length win. The Rich Enuf filly Abounding grabbed second ahead of the Zoustar mare Olentia, who just shaded Floozie.

“The stars aligned today, and I can’t thank Peter and his team enough. It’s moments like this make it all worthwhile. When I came up outside Abounding, I got the jitters and went full bore,” said an elated Sherry, who has been in the saddle for three of Tashi’s five career wins, the mare now a A$1 million earner.

“It’s crazy, it feels like a little bit of a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” added Sherry. “Things like this don’t really happen to people like me, I’m very grateful. I have worked really hard, trying to get to this moment.

“Winning a Group 1 is a big deal for me, for the lad from Ireland. It’s been a long time coming, trying to win a Group 1. We have had a tough year, but when stuff like this happens, it makes it all worthwhile.

“Mark Newnham was a massive figure in my life, a father figure, and going from being an apprentice to a senior jockey was a huge thing for me.

“There is a saying that when mares are in form, they keep producing, and that’s exactly what has happened this campaign. Tashi has always been super-consistent.”

Sebring

The final Group 1 of the Australian racing season, the Tattersall’s Tiara was the ninth for Tashi’s sire Sebring, whose career ended abruptly at 13 years of age in 2019.

Both Tashi and the Golden Slipper winner Sebring were bred by the late George Altomonte at his family-owned Corumbene Stud, the serendipity not missed by Peter Snowden.

“There were no half measures today, she won dominantly. She kept getting beaten short half-heads, it was a tremendous run last week in the Dane Ripper, I think this is her 11th run this campaign, so huge credit to her,” said Snowden.

“Tom rode her an absolute peach today, I think it’s his first Group 1, so I’m so pleased for him and the mare. But I think George Altomonte rode this mare from above today.”

UNBEATEN at his second start at Eagle Farm on Saturday, Autumn Boy will be one to watch for the spring.

Stepped up by trainer Chris Waller to 1,400m and into the Listed Tattersall’s Stakes for juveniles, the colt was a level above.

Cruising to the lead before the 200m mark, The Autumn Sun colt cruised away to win by thre lengths underneath James McDonald, who remarked: “They’re lucky the (Group 1) J.J. Atkins isn’t in two weeks’ time, because he’d probably win that race.

“He’s been a real sleeper, but he’s got plenty of ability and he showed that today. He’s a very promising horse, and he will only keep getting better and better, because he hasn’t really woken up yet.”

Purchased at the Magic Millions for A$200,000 by Waller/Mulcaster for owner Glenn Ritchie, Autumn Boy was saddled up by stable foreman Charlie Duckworth.

“He’s just taken such a good step forward from first trial to second trial, and then to the race start, and then again he stepped forward massively today,” said Duckworth. “We don’t really know where the limit is with him, which is exciting and, like any unbeaten colt, it’s what you get into ownership for.”