Aberlour opens Australian account

[Wandering Eyes]

Stakes-winning New Zealand import Aberlour recorded her first win on Australian soil with a strong front-running performance in the A$160,000 Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Sent out as a $15 chance in the hands of expat Kiwi jockey Alysha Collett, Aberlour broke well from the starting gates and slid forward to take the lead within the first 100m. That was where she stayed, bowling along in front with a two-length margin up until the home turn.

Aberlour was able to kick again soon after entering the straight, and despite beginning to tire in the final 100m, she held on gamely to win by a neck.

Now trained by Joe Pride, Aberlour has had 15 starts for four wins, three placings and A$229,430 in prize-money.

Aberlour was bred by Av Todd and is one of six individual winners for Group Two-winning stallion Mongolian Falcon, who stands at Hau Ora Farm for a service fee of $2,500. Aberlour is out of the winning Postponed mare Sophie Louise, who is also the dam of black-type performer Tobilicious.

Todd initially raced Aberlour with son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Emma Tyler, along with Kelvin Tyler and his wife Vanessa, and they have all retained a share in the ownership following her sale to Australia last year.

Kelvin Tyler trained Aberlour in her six-start New Zealand career, which produced three wins and two placings, including victories in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Southland Guineas (1600m).

“Aberlour made the most of a soft lead over a nice distance today and did us proud,” Tyler said on Saturday.

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