It’s clear that Sunline Vase (Gr 3, 1400m) winner Tajana (Darci Brahma) is for real. Her form at two was more than promising but in her two starts this season she has proved best of the fillies and maybe the best three-year-old at this point of the season.
Although she performed fairly on top of the ground as a juvenile, her win on a heavy Ruakaka track (normally the best winter track in the country) was the only question surrounding Saturday’s Vase which was run on a Good 4 surface.
Similar to her Northland Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) victory, she settled towards the rear and was giving the leaders a decent start with 600m to run. Accelerating from the 600m she tacked onto the pack but soon after straightening still had all but one of the field to pass.
Again similar to Ruakaka, she drove into top gear but this time steamed down the centre of the course and was in front inside the 100m. She then had to dig deep to hold out Lollapalooza (El Roca) who matched her stride for stride, just a nose in advance of another very good filly. Tajana’s record now stands at three wins in six starts.
The first two home had the race to themselves which again underlined Lollapalooza’s form from Ellerslie’s September 6th Gold Trail Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m). Both fillies are likely headed for Riccarton and the New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) but we can only hope that they clash again before that.
For racing’s sake, let’s hope so and so does Tajana’s co-trainer Shaune Ritchie: “Isn’t it great to have a couple of top-class fillies going head to head like that. It is good for racing so let's bring it on some more.”
Tajana’s racing pattern augers well for Riccarton. She won’t be bothered by the extra 200m. Later in the season, 2000 metres should be within her scope too plus there is the prospect of a New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) which moves from Trentham in March to Ellerslie in February.
Darci Brahma (Danehill) has sired two Oaks winners, namely Gust Of Wind, winner of the Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) and New Zealand Oaks victress Artistic.
Tajana’s dam is by July Cup (Gr 1, 6f) winner Sahkee’s Secret whose damsire Secreto (Northern Dancer) was successful in the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f). Sahkee’s Secret’s maternal grandsire Majestic Prince (Raise A Native) was injured yet ran second in the Belmont Stakes (Gr 1, 12f), his only defeat in ten starts which included the Kentucky Derby, (Gr 1, 10f).
On that, Tajana has every chance of seeing out the Oaks distance, especially against her peers. Her dam Sleek Secret (Sakkee’s Secret) scored five wins and is one of seven winners from Brisbane winner Miss Smugg (Volksraad).
Miss Smugg’s half-sister Spin ‘n Grin (Spinning World) took out Ellerslie’s Eight Carat Classic (Gr 2, 1600m). Her half-brother Mr Smug (Spectacular Love) was a Listed winner of seven races. Their dam, Smile (Sackford) ranks as a three-quarter blood sister to Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) and Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) winner A Little Kiss (Sackford).
Dick Karreman, Rick Williams and The Oaks Stud had a memorable 2024-25 season with Savaglee (Savabeel) and their fortunes have continued into this spring. Anyone in racing will tell you that such success is rare. Savaglee was purchased as a stallion prospect and one might imagine that a mating between Savaglee and Tajana is a distinct possibility some years down the track.
In the meantime, there is the prospect of further racetrack action, but such a match is something to look forward to. Maybe the 2030 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale?
- Lloyd Jackson, ANZ Bloodstock News
