Smart filly Tiffany Rose will progress towards the Group 1 WA Oaks in May, following a strong showing in her WA debut at Pinjarra yesterday.
The Somebeachsomewhere filly was too slick for her rivals in the Sky Harness Pace (1684m), having come to Mike Reed’s stable with a formidable record of seven placings from eight starts.
Tiffany Rose worked her way to the breeze on the back straight the final time, before she overpowered Riverina Flash in the home straight to score by 6m for reinsman Michael Grantham.
Reed said the filly’s performance was a pass mark and felt he had the right amount of time to have her ready for the WA Oaks.
“I was a little bit concerned she wouldn’t settle, but she settled well and hit the line well,” he told RWWA Harness.
“She will only improve.
“Definitely (head towards) the WA Oaks, that’s what we bought her for, so that’s what we’ll be heading for.
“She will have another two runs, maybe three, then she will have three or four weeks off and get ready for the Oaks.”
Arma Indie made it a winning double on the day for Reed and Grantham when she was too strong in the Skyracing.com.au Pace (1684m).
The four-year-old continued her exceptional form this campaign, having been beaten just once in her seven starts since August.
Reed’s latest stable acquisition Gran Chico arrived at his stable earlier today.
The New Zealand import brings respectable form to Australia with six wins and four placings from 13 starts.
His most recent start was a fourth placing at Mt Harding behind the Mark Purdon and Natalia Rasmussed-trained Chase Auckland, where he also beat last year’s New Zealand Cup victor Thefixer.
Reed said Gran Chico would aim towards the 4YO Classic and Golden Nugget on November 29 and December 13 respectively.
“A mate of mine drove him over there, Blair Orange, and he said he’s top class,” he said.
“He’s only had 13 starts and still learning the caper, but I think he’s a horse that will get better and better and better.
“He’d most probably race in three weeks.”
Meanwhile, the Purdon and Rasmussen stable have indicated their interest in returning to Perth for the Fremantle Cup and WA Pacing Cup early next year.
“We’ve got it on the radar,” Purdon told TABradio.
“We haven’t made any plans with any particular horse and we will probably evaluate it after the New Zealand Cup.
“We will see what happens with the wash up and whether we’ve got something suitable to take on those two big races.”
