Grahame Begg had long identified the Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) as a key target for his talented mare Splash Back, and this ambitious long-range strategy paid off handsomely at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Following a disappointing performance in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during the Spring, Begg shifted his focus to Queensland. With leading contenders like Fangirl and Spicy Martini opting out, Splash Back entered the race carrying the top saddlecloth.
Ridden by Jordan Childs, Splash Back was kept to the inside rail, mirroring her approach in her first-up victory in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m). The $8.50 chance surged through the field, winning by a comfortable 1-1/4 lengths. Savagery Vibe ($21) finished second, with Gerringong ($5) a further length behind in third.
Begg, who previously won the Tatts Tiara with Bonanova in 1999 and 2000 when it was a Group 3 event, expressed satisfaction with Splash Back’s deserved victory. She had put in strong performances in the Kingsford Smith Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap leading up to this.
“It’s always been a race that I really love,” Begg stated. “She’s been a beauty, this horse. Since we got her to train, she’s been outstanding. She’s all heart, she just goes out and goes to war for you.”
This marked Begg’s 16th Group One success, yet it was only the second time Childs had partnered the mare, despite Childs having significantly more rides for Begg than any other jockey.
“I gave him (Childs) licence and said, ‘If you’ve got to go back to the inside because there’s nothing wrong with it today’,” Begg commented. “The track’s played beautifully… they’ve done an amazing job and they’ve absolutely looked after us a treat. We’ve had a good number of horses here and it’s just great.”
Childs shared his delight in securing another major Group One win. His first came aboard Written By for Begg in the 2018 Blue Diamond Stakes, followed by a recent triumph in the Robert Sangster Stakes on Geegees Mistruth last month.
“I was able to sneak runs up the inside and coming to the corner, I knew I just needed to unfold the way I needed it to and a few runs to appear,” Childs explained. “Once she did, she really burst through. Great to get another Group One winner for Grahame and especially this horse, she’s been fantastic.”
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