Tuvalu provides Fry with his first Group 1 winner
The Lindsey Smith-trained Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}) produced an impressive display to win the G1 Toorak H. on Saturday and in the process provided jockey Jarrod Fry with his first Group 1 winner, while the victory also meant every Group 1 staged at Caulfield were won by progeny of stallions based at Darley.
Tuvalu was purchased by his trainer and Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2019 edition of the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $200,000 from Merricks Station and he is out of placed mare Hangin’ Touch (Exceed And Excel), who is herself a three-quarter sister to Group 1 winner Helmet.
Tuvalu signalled he was in the type of form that could see him snare an elite-level victory when he finished third in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. and he elevated that form, defeating Laws Of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}) by 0.8l. Military Expert (Redoute’s Choice) came home another 0.2l away in third.
“You always dream of it,” Fry said. “I’m very lucky that Lindsey has been backing me along with this ownership group.
“This is not just for me, but all of the staff have been good to me. I could sit there for hours naming them all. I really enjoy working with them and it’s good to get the reward with them.”
Smith expressed his delight for Fry and was quick to shift the spotlight onto the jockey, happy to allow him to bask in the limelight.
“It’s all about Jarrod and the horse today,” Smith said. “The owners have been special people to me but just for Jarrod and all his hard work.
“He’s always felt like one day he’d win one of these. I’m glad it came sooner than later. The barrier helped and a perfect ride and the way the map worked out.”
“He’s (Tuvalu) always felt like one day he’d win one of these. I’m glad it came sooner than later. The barrier helped and a perfect ride and the way the map worked out.” – Lindsey Smith
This article is an edited version that originally appeared in Thoroughbred Daily News Australia New Zealand, written by Lydia Symonds.
