Tralee Rose (NZ) Blows Bagot Rivals Away

Karaka graduate Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock) stepped up to stakes level with a powerful performance in Friday’s A$160,000 Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington. 

Bought for $50,000 from Cambridge Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2018, Tralee Rose romped to victory by seven lengths in the New Year’s Day staying feature. She has now had nine starts for four wins, three placings and A$255,690 in stakes – more than five times her purchase price.

The winner of three of her previous four starts, Tralee Rose was the favourite for the Bagot Handicap and raced in a forward position throughout the staying feature.

Jockey Craig Williams let her go at the top of the home straight and the result was quickly put beyond any doubt. The talented four-year-old charged clear for a highly impressive and dominant win.

“At the moment the line has a very big peak on it, and she’s not near the top of that,” Williams said. “So there’s exciting times ahead.”

Trainer Symon Wilde is now setting his sights on bigger and better things, such as the A$400,000 Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200m) on March 8 and the A$400,000 Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on May 15. The winner of the Andrew Ramsden receives automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November.

“Who knows,” Wilde said. "I’d be going to the Ramsden because clearly she’s better than an off-season staying horse, and I’d be delighted if we could get her in the Melbourne Cup. I know the graph is going up with her, and by next spring she should be nearly at her peak.

“I think she’s an improving horse. The owners have been great, and I think they are going to be well rewarded.”

The Bagot Handicap produced a trifecta for New Zealand-breds, with Sin To Win (NZ) (Sir Percy) second and the $160,000 Karaka 2018 purchase Saint Eustace (NZ) (Tavistock) third.