BC Internationals: Filly & Mare Turf contender Talmada

Photo courtesy of Keeneland/Coady Photography.

Although it’s disappointing that soft-ground lover Bawina is out of the Filly & Mare Turf (G1), Talmada is a worthy addition from the also-eligible list.

By Cape Cross – sire of two-time Filly & Mare Turf champion Ouija Board, the great Sea the Stars, and Turf (G1) favorite Golden Horn – Talmada comes from the family of 1994 Mile (G1) winner Barathea as well as Coretta, runner-up in the inaugural running of this race in 1999.

The Roger Varian trainee was on an upward curve during her sophomore campaign in 2014, culminating in a second in the 1 1/4-mile Pride at Newmarket. That turned out to be a harbinger of her preferred trip.

Talmada kicked off 2015 with a second to Filly & Mare Turf rival Secret Gesture in the about 1 5/16-mile Middleton (G2) at York (click link for replay). Fourth in the Pinnacle (G3) when stepping up to 1 1/2 miles, she preferred the cutback to 1 1/4 miles when runner-up in the Hoppings to Covert Love – the subsequent winner of the Irish Oaks (G1) and Prix de l’Opera (G1).

But further shortening up wasn’t helpful. She was a subpar fifth in the 1 1/8-mile Kilboy Estate (G2) at the Curragh, where she set the pace on good-to-yielding ground:

 

Over a stiff mile at Sandown, Talmada was fifth again in the Atalanta (G3). A return to 1 1/4 miles, and to listed company, resulted in her first stakes win in the John Musker at Yarmouth.

Talmada reaffirmed her preference for 1 1/4 miles with a dynamic second to Curvy in the E.P. Taylor (G1) last out. Wide throughout from post 12, she navigated 33 feet more than the winner: