The Autumn Sun’s first winner impresses

Gary Harding’s 2YO filly Tulsi delivered a milestone result for her sire The Autumn Sun when she scored a stylish victory at Tauherenikau’s big Waitangi Day meeting in New Zealand.

Sent over 1000 metres on debut by trainers Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard, Tulsi settled wide, picked up smartly at the top of the straight and showed determination to fight off No Rain Ever.

TULSI the first winner for The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice)

Dam a Lonhro 1/2 to Gr1 Kiamichi & SW Cossetot

4×3 Canny Lad@benner_racing @McnabMjmcnab @inglis_sales @StudValiant @WillowParkStud @ArrowfieldStud @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/DdKhOWeI2p

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) February 6, 2023

Tulsi is the first winner from The Autumn Sun’s first 4 runners, who also include Deciduous, debut runner-up in Sydney and third in his resuming trial at Randwick today for the Waterhouse & Bott stable. 

Tulsi’s co-trainer Johno Benner told the NZ Racing Desk, “She looks and raced like a true professional, which was great to see as she was up against a field that had plenty of raceday experience.

“She is a very laidback filly who is built more like a colt, but I loved just how relaxed she was before the race and again when she pulled up.

“We have just ticked her along and now she has that experience under her belt we will see how she pulls up before deciding where to next, but a race like the Sires’ Produce at Awapuni is not out of the question.

“I think she will definitely get a mile as a three-year-old but for the time being we will just let her tell us how far we can go in this campaign.”

Tulsi is the fourth foal of Talimena (by Lonhro), a winning half-sister to Champion 2YO Filly Kiamichi, from the classy “Peach” family of Group 1 winners Denman & Preserve, and Group winners Soul, Archives & Safeguard.

Bred by Walker Racing & Bloodstock, Tulsi was offered at last year’s Inglis Classic Sale by Valiant Stud and secured  by Glenn Burrows who won a lively  battle with a final bid of $550,000 – the top price paid for a filly at the Sale.

He said at the time, “She’s an absolute top-notch filly, she was my pick of the sale for the fillies.” 

The Autumn Sun’s 3 fillies and 10 colts at Inglis Classic 2023 include 5 yearlings in Arrowfield’s draft, with other lots offered by Corumbene Stud, HP Thoroughbreds, Lime Country, Parsons Creek, Redbank North/Huntworth, Riversdale/Ashleigh, Torryburn & Wentwood Grange.