Four-year-old mare Targhee broke maiden ranks second-up off a lengthy spell, when successful in the Dunstan Feeds 1200 at Pukekohe on Wednesday for trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard.
Admirably performed in good two-year-old fields, Targhee was off the racing scene for more than 12 months following her three-year-old campaign, but indicated readiness when wearing the leader down in resolute fashion to win a trial at Avondale in April.
She resumed with a tough effort for third at Matamata last month.
Gerard said the year-long break was highly beneficial for the well-related daughter of Dissident, who comes from the family of Group One winner Tully Thunder.
“We gave her a really good long break where she did heaps of growing and just needed the time to fill out. She’s still maturing,” Gerard said.
“She went through a Gavelhouse sale when some owners wanted out and we bought her back because some of the owners wanted to stick with her.
“She’s got great bloodlines and probably wants to go a mile, but after the first-up run I had a chat with Mike (Moroney) and we agreed to keep her at 1200m and put the blinkers on, with a view to getting back and running on.
“Her work had been first-class and I think she’s only going to get better once she gets up over 1400m and I think she’ll get a mile, too.
“It was a good ride by Michael (McNab) and he said she got there pretty easily.
“She’s owned by some really loyal stable clients, including Gary Eddington from my home town in Methven.
Targhee was selected by Paul Moroney and purchased at the 2019 Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale from the draft of Little Avondale Stud for $130,000.
