The $200,000 Listed ATC Sir Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday delivered a great result for B2B Thoroughbreds when their homebred Russian Revolution filly Revolina outgunned the colts to score a valuable Black Type win.
Having just her second race start and stepping straight off a maiden win at Hawkesbury over 1000m earlier this month, Revolina appeared to face a stiff task, but rose to the challenge.
The Richard and Will Freedman trained filly led for home under Tommy Berry and was not for catching.
She was strong over the final furlong and extended her lead to win by a length and a half over previously unbeaten Ole Kirk colt Punxsutawney Phil, who was a gallant second.
Revolina had a tough start to life and was lucky survive as a foal.
“(Owner) Ricky (Surace) has told me a number of times she actually came out as a dummy foal and she was touch and go to even survive,” Will Freedman said.
“To get her back through that stage, come here at her second start… don’t get me wrong, the pattern helped us, but she had the tactical speed to take advantage of the inside gate.
B2B Thoroughbreds hold a slot in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast in January and Ricky Surace would love to get one of his own horses into the feature race that has been won by the likes of Grafterburners and Private Harry.
“The main goal has always been to get to the Sunlight at the Magic Millions, so we’ll devise a plan from there,” Freedman said.
“There may be another run in the spring, but she’s almost earned her way to having a break.
“B2B have their own slot, so they’ve been crying out to find a horse they can run in it. She’s doing really well.”
Tommy Berry is two for two on Revolina and thinks there is much more to come.
“I don’t think that is the way to ride her, leading, but we were handed the lead today,” Berry said.
“She still wanted to overdo things a little bit. I loved her tenacity late.”
Revolina is now two for two with prizemoney just shy of $150,000 and is the second foal and first winner from She’s Furline, a winning half-sister by I Am Invincible to Group III placed Smart Manoeuvre from the family of Group II winner Umaline.
Revolina is the 16th stakes-winner for Russian Revolution, who stands at Newgate at a fee of $33,000.