Bennett Racing exciting 2yo colt Tornado Valley bounced back from his unlucky 3rd on debut, with a brilliant and tough win in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate. Such an imposing youngster Tornado Valley had already signalled his talent with a powerful and unlucky third on debut in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield, where he weaved through runners and attacked the line strongly.
Tornado Valley came to this time honoured race as 2nd fav. Ethan Brown took the ride and he drew down in barrier 3. The colt jumped better this time and got into a good trailing spot on the inside in 4th spot. They only went steady from the 800-400m but the race lit up from the 300m when Brown shifted the big Too Darn Hot Colt across heels to make his run. From the 200m Tornado Valley exploded and quickly had the race in his keeping. The Yulong debutant Tales Of Time, came out of the pack and briefly inside the last 100m looked like going straight past Tornado Valley. However the colt was having none of it and pinned his ears back to easily hold off the challenge and start to draw away on the line.
Trainer Ciaron Maher was delighted with the performance, likening it to a strong piece of work. “It was just like a barrier trial, really. I thought he was a bit sleepy out of the gates. Wobble at the turn and was very good late. It was a nice positive ride by Browny. Great job by the team. Nathan Bennett and Bennett Racing have a lot of horses in our stable and they’re all quite nice. This colt is very well bred and he’s got a bright future so hopefully that’s the next one.” “This colt (Tornado Valley) is very well bred and he’s got a bright future so hopefully that’s the next (good) one (for Bennett Racing).” – Ciaron Maher
For jockey Ethan Brown, it marked his first winner during Cup Week, and he was understandably thrilled. “It’s a great feeling. I was on a horse who was presented very well. He took a lot of improvement from his first up run, raced like an ultimate professional today, and had a good look at the crowd. He won with quite a bit of authority then. Gonna make a lovely 3-year-old.”
Reflecting on the run, Brown said, “He probably hit the front a bit soon, but I just had to use him just to get out in clear running. He’s very responsive, he had a good look at the crowd, and he won with a bit in hand. He was just very green his first-up run, and it’s a sign of a good horse. He’s taken the right improvement.”
Tornado Valley also becomes the latest star to come through the Muskoka Farm system of breaking-in and education and joins Southport Tycoon, Snitzanova, Military Tycoon, Stay Focused and Jimmy Recard as former graduates broken-in at the farm. At this stage the colt will be aimed towards a start in the rich Magic Millions 2yo Classic in January.
Tornado Valley was purchased by Bennett Racing for $300,000 from his breeders Rosemont Stud at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Rosemont Stud stayed in the ownership of this exciting colt. He is a son of Champion young Sire Too Darn Hot and his dam Oklahoma Girl (Fastnet Rock), three-time winner & placed in the G2 The Roses & G1 Queensland Oaks as a 3-year-old filly. She is a half sister to Sure Knee (Snitzel) who was a seven-time winner and won the G3 Sapphire Stakes. Tornado Valleys 3rd dam is a sister to the ill fated Champion sire Northern Meteor who was a huge loss to both Widden Stud and the Australian breeding industry. Amongst others Northern Meteors legacy is his son Zoustar the newly crowned Australian Champion Sire.
Congratulations to all owners in Tornado Valley and a big thankyou to Ciaron Maher and all his Teams for the outstanding job they have done with the colt.