Local racegoers might have got a glimpse of a future Group 1 star after Ameridon made the trip from Eagle Farm to take out the first race in Tamworth on Friday.
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The progeny of 2009 Emirates Stakes winner All American is trained by Eagle Farm based Group 1 winning trainer Liam Birchley, and had Australia’s most winningest jockey, Robert Thompson on board when it just sat off the pace before thundering home down the straight to claim the Shay Brennan Constructions 2YO Maiden Plate.
“I haven’t been to Tamworth for 15 years,” Birchley said.
“That was a winner too so maybe I will have to come back again.”
The tall two year old colt jumped well before settling in fourth to trail John Bannister’s Princess Lottie by a length before moving out wider on the turn and powering home as Thompson kept the whip holstered to beat the race leader by a half length on the post, with Paul Perry’s Uncle Rodriguez in third.
“It is good to take them on a bit of a road trip – It educates the horse,” Birchley said.
“There is also a lot of good two year olds around at the moment in Queensland for the Magic Millions so it was a good time to travel.”
“He looked nice and ran well – He was a bit patchy but got the job done.”
“He is a big and progressive horse so he will go a bit further.”
Birchley also nominated Wicked Express, also a two year old colt, for the race before scratching him late on Thursday.
“They are both owned by the same owners so we made the call.”
Ameridon was Birchley and Thompson’s only charge in the eight race card, although there was also two other Group 1 winning trainers with interest on the day as Paul Perry and Kris Lees took renewed interest in the upgraded track.
Perry was also on track with seven runners on the day and it didn’t take him long to find the winners circle, recording two wins and two thirds in the first four races, all maidens.
Serg Lisnyy guided Natadola home for a solid win in the second, before Painted Lady flew home in the fourth with Anthony Cavallo on board.