All Too Hard youngster Tarka can develop into a colt for the classics on the strength of his dominant victory in the TAB Hcp (1600m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The David Payne-trained 2yo defied a betting drift to win by a couple of lengths from Salsa Man (I Am Invincible) and even-money favourite Task And Purpose (Zoustar). He was left in front a long way from home after tearaway leader Huey hit a brick wall but ran right through the line for Brenton Avdulla.
“He ran very well here first-up and you had to forget his second run on a soft track at Canterbury,” Payne explained. “He’s an improver with a future.”
Payne prepared All Too Hard’s first-crop city winners The Mighty Fed & All Too Soon and rates his second-crop colt very highly. “He’s a nice type and has been given a good education. He’s bred to stay but we will see how he pulls up before making a decision for the spring carnival.”
A Kia Ora Stud homebred, Tarka is a younger brother to All Too Hard’s South African winner Overdose. Their dam Gayika (Galileo) is a full-sister to Durban July Hcp Gr.1 winner Igugu and she foaled a filly by Press Statement last October.
Tarka is the 12th individual 2yo winner this season by All Too Hard who stands for a $33,000 service fee at Vinery.
