Kiwi-breds excel in Oz outings

A pair of New Zealand bred three-year-olds turned heads at Bendigo on Thursday as they pressed their claims for higher honours as spring racing heats up across the Tasman.

First-up was the Anthony Freedman prepared Tavistock Abbey, a $200,000 purchase from the Rich Hill draft during the 2016 premier session at Karaka.

The showy bay recorded his first victory at just his third start when he easily disposed of his maiden rivals by three and three-quarter lengths over 1600 metres.

Wearing the colours made famous by champion galloper Super Impose, rider Luke Currie had the gelding poised to strike after enjoying a soft run in transit and when he asked for an effort the response was immediate.

‘‘He travelled nicely to the corner and just ran away from them in the end,’’ remarked Currie after the race.

‘‘He always travelled like the winner and quickened nicely when I asked him. He’s a nice horse going forward.’’

Freedman’s racing manager Brad Taylor was quick to explain Tavistock Abbey’s last start failure as the camp indicated a tilt at the Victoria Derby (2500m) was on the cards.

‘‘We were highly disappointed last time, but Mark Zahra came back and said he just didn’t handle the track or racing in tight quarters,’’ Taylor said.

‘‘We said to Luke to get him some clear air and when he was travelling like he was on the corner he put them away pretty impressively.

‘‘There’s going to be a Derby nomination and we’ll look to use the Derby trial at Flemington as his next start.’’

Equally as impressive, albeit a bit wayward and by a much smaller margin, was the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Youngtrained Sully who also scored over 1600 metres.

‘‘He’s got real ability but just needs to sort out his racing manners,’’ said jockey Zac Spain.