Von Tunzelman cracks it
The connections of Von Tunzelman will let the dust settle on their Trentham celebrations before confirming the handsome grey’s immediate future.
Yesterday the Roger Jamestrained son of Zabeel claimed his most important victory to date when he downed Devise and Benzini in the Mills Reef Trentham Stakes (2100m).
Raced by incoming Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Von Tunzelman holds a nomination for the upcoming Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Barfoot & Thomson Auckland Cup (3200m).
‘‘We’re over the moon, he’s probably been a bit unlucky in his last couple of runs,’’ James’ racing manager Robert Wellwood said. ‘‘He needs an uninterrupted run and it panned out beautifully today.
‘‘Roger has taken his time with the horse and he showed us he was a stayer in the making when he won last season’s Kaimai Stakes.
‘‘We’ll will see how he pulls up and then Roger will make a decision where he goes.’’
Von Tunzelman enjoyed a good run in midfield before rider Leith Innes angled him into the clear across the top and they came with a well-timed finish in the straight.
‘‘They went pretty hard up front and I was able to get out 500m from home,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s got a bright future, maybe a cup race next.’’
Von Tunzelman finished in behind the major players in two Melbourne starts in the spring and showed he was on the verge of winning form on his return with an encouraging run for seventh in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
‘‘We got to the 700m and the track was a bit greasy and lost a few lengths, but he hit the line strongly in the last 200m,’’ Innes said.
Platinum Mam’selle will chase higher honours after opening her winning account at Trentham. The Lisa Latta-trained filly got home strongly from the back of a small field on Saturday to triumph in the Kilbirnie Sports Premier (1200m) to earn a shot at black type next time out.
‘‘We’ll look at going to a nice Group race now, probably the one at New Plymouth,’’ Latta said, referring to the Gr.3 Phoenix Park 2YO Classic (1200m) on February 3.
She also believes Platinum Mam’selle can be a genuine contender for the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni in the autumn.
‘‘It’s on our back door step and 1400m should really suit her,’’ Latta said.
It was Platinum Mam’selle second start having finished runnerup on debut behind the highlyregarded Sword Of Osman at Awapuni last month.
‘‘She learned a lot from her first start, she just keeps getting better,’’ Latta said.
Rider Mark Du Plessis was also rich in his praise of the youngster.
‘‘She did things well today and there’s a lot of upside to her,’’ he said. ‘‘She’s going to make a lovely three-year-old and she’ll be much better over further.
‘‘There was a nice, genuine speed and she picked up well when I asked her to go.’’
Sourced by major stable clients Neville McAlister and Lincoln Farms from an Adelaide sale, Platinum Mam’selle also provided her Victorian-based sire Fighting Sun with his first winner.
A son of Northern Meteor, he was unbeaten in two starts, including the Listed Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill, before injury ended his career.