Tranquila Terrific

Capping solid form, Tranquila (3 f Iffraaj – Equanimity, by More Than Ready) won the $18,500 Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1600 metres (eligible $20,000 bonus) on 14 March at Ashburton.

Having run the fastest last 600m on a couple of occasions and most recently steadied back from a wide gate (12) before making ground through the field for fourth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 23 February at Riccarton, Tranquila brought solid form before winning at her fifth start.

Ridden by the country's leading jockey Warren Kennedy, combining for the third time on race day, Tranquila was able to utilise barrier one and once off the trail at the 400m, she sustained a strong finish to win.

“She was really well ridden today by Warren (Kennedy) and got a lovely run,” said co-trainer Mark Walker, from the course.

“The extra bit of cut in the track suited her, along with the step to 1600 metres, and she had been building nicely to a win.

“Hunter (Durrant) has got the team flying down here in our stables at Riccarton, going really well.”

On Soft7 footing, Tranquila ran 1600 metres in 1:39.1, last 600m in 36.1, and justified favouritism to return $3.10 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Owned by Brendan Lindsay MNZM & Jo Lindsay (Cambridge Stud), Tranquila was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $90,000 as a yearling at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud.

Te Akau has plenty of experience with the family, having trained the dam, Equanimity (More Than Ready), who impressed winning to 1400 metres, and grand-dam Insouciant (Keeper), an NZB Filly of the Year, both owned by Sir Peter Vela. 

Equanimity was the first foal from Insouciant, trained by Mark Walker, and like her mother debuted with a brilliant victory over 1230 metres. In a brief career, she certainly displayed the talents harboured within a terrific family. 

Also in the family are 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winners Dorabella (Postponed) and Media Sensation (I Am Invincible), plus beautifully gifted galloper and eight-time winner Crusoe (Volksraad). 

“She was a beautiful filly,” Ellis said. “We knew the family well and the two-year-old sister (Aequus), which we really liked, was in the stable for Sir Peter (Vela) and she’d won a trial and since won two races.

“It’s a very successful family, especially the fillies, and like a lot of the Pencarrow breeds there is always a class and quality factor.

“Tranquila has done a good job. She had a big task from back in the field at her last couple of starts but drawing the inside made a difference today and she got a deserved win. 

“She was also very well placed by Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson) to win the NZB Pearl Series Bonus.

“It’s great to train horses for Brendan and Jo. The whole team at Cambridge Stud puts so much into the New Zealand racing industry and we have a very good relationship with them.”

Tranquila was strapped by Kaydence Ferguson.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz