The Mick Priced-trained O'Reilly filly, Betwixt (NZ) defied history in the Tasmanian Derby (2200m) at Elwick on Saturday
Not since 1977 has the Derby been won by a filly, but the smart 3YO paid no heed to this, bursting into win contention 500m out.
At the line, competitors still had no reply on the dead 5 track, with Reprisal (Galileo) fairing the best of these a length away.
Betwixt (NZ), who is raced by a syndicate of 10 and managed by Sydney racing identity Graeme Smith, has now won three from six starts and is likely to be spelled before a possible tilt at the Queensland Oaks in May.
Bred by Garry Chittick, Saturday's win was the second Australian Derby success for Waikato Stud's sire O'Reilly (NZ) (Last Tycoon), with Guyno (NZ) earlier paving the way in the 2007 WATC Derby (2400m).
Currently leading the Hong Kong General Sires premiership, O'Reilly (NZ) is the sire of a remarkable 352 winners from 502 runners (70.1%) and to this he also counts the six Gr.1 winners: The Jewel (NZ), Alamosa (NZ), Final Destination (NZ), Swick (NZ), Master O'Reilly (NZ) and Guyno (NZ).
Looking to the bottom line of her pedigree, Betwixt (NZ) is out of the five time winner Not Sure (NZ) (Masterclass), a well related mare who counts the South African Gr.1 winner Taupo Retreat (NZ) (Centaine) as a half sister.
As a yearling, Betwixt (NZ) was secured by Steve Brem from Waikato Stud's 2007 Karaka Select draft for NZ$150,000 – an outlay now surpassed by NZ$168,000 in earnings.
