Written by Paul Vettise
The unbeaten Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is continuing trainer Patrick Payne’s successful association with the 2-year-old’s family.
The youngster began his career in perfect style when he won at Sale and, in similar fashion, be produced an irresistible finish to claim top honours in the Rod Johnson H. at Flemington on Saturday.
Cherry Tortoni is a son of Tortoni (Strategic) and she is a half-sister to the former crack galloper Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}).
Night Of Thunder (Ire) | Standing at Darley Europe
Prepared by the late Guy Walter, the Tait family’s Tie The Knot won a remarkable 13 Group 1 events and Payne rode him to victory in three of those.
Cherry Tortoni has stamped himself as an exciting prospect and looks more than capable of making his mark in much stronger company for his Plumpton-based conditioner.
Century of winners
The chestnut also brought up a milestone for Payne - his 100th winner for the season - when he came from back in the field to remain undefeated. He settled in the second half of the field before rider Billy Egan, sporting the famous Tie The Knot colours, edged around runners near the turn.
When asked for a serious effort, the juvenile got into his work willingly and motored home to score by 1.5l. Albarado (NZ) (Savabeel), who made late ground to finish runner-up with Insaaf (Pride Of Dubai) taking third off Burleigh Boy (Pride Of Dubai).
“He’s going to be a pretty handy horse in the future,” Egan said. “I was happy with the run I got and just wanted the option to get to the outside and work over the top of them, which he did in good style.”
Cherry Tortoni’s dam Tortoni, the winner of a modest 1000 metre contest during her racing days, has also produced the two-time winner Café Tortoni (Reset). She has a Bobby’s Kitten (USA) yearling and a Churchill (Ire) filly at foot and is currently in foal to Mendelssohn (USA).
Tortoni is a daughter of the G1 One Thousand Guineas winner Whisked (Whiskey Road {USA}) and, Tie The Knot aside, is also the mother of the black type winner Hood (Shamardal {USA}) and Dream Ballad (Singspiel {Ire}).
The G2 Magic Night S. winner Ichihara (General Nediym) and the G2 Run to the Rose S. winner Menari (Snitzel), who also ran third in the G1 Golden Rose, are other members of the family.
