When Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini spotted a Vancouver filly at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, he knew she would be ideal for a ladies’ syndicate. He secured her for $25,000, and today, at just her fourth start, Tickle Me Pink rewarded that faith with a strong maiden win over 1206m at Port Macquarie.
A group of a dozen women from NSW, South Australia, and Queensland celebrated as their filly charged home the $2.50 favourite, making her breakthrough all the sweeter.
The win completed a flawless day for Minervini, who took just two runners to the meeting — and both won comfortably under jockey Luke Rolls. Mirai San, a three-year-old by Supido, had earlier impressed on debut in the Maiden Handicap (1006m) as the $2.60 favourite.
“We haven’t quite managed to win $1m in prizemoney as we did last season, yet we have had more than double the number of winners,” Minervini said on his way home. “Importantly, we have some nice young horses in our team which augurs well for the forthcoming season.”
Tickle Me Pink is the second foal of Wyuna, a former Tasmanian mare trained by Minervini in Adelaide before retirement to stud.
“She is a lovely big filly, and I felt she would be perfect for a ladies’ syndicate,” he said. “We have several women from South Australia, one from Queensland and the remainder are all locals (with the trainer’s wife Michelle the syndicate manager).”
“Tickle Me Pink needed time and that’s why we didn’t race her as a two-year-old. Even though she ran seventh of eight at odds-on in a Muswellbrook Maiden Plate (1280m) against her own sex at her previous start, she would have won with clear running in the straight. It was cruel to see her beaten.”
“Tickle Me Pink has really blossomed this campaign. She ran second first-up at Gosford late last month and has continued on.”
Minervini was also thrilled to get a breakthrough win for breeder-owner Jacquie Mealing with Mirai San.
“Jacquie has sent me a few horses, and this is the first one I have been able to win with,” he said. “Mirai San has been a real work in progress.”
“I had trouble getting him to load into the barriers, and sent him to well known Hawkesbury horseman Matt Vella to sort him out. He has done a terrific job with him.”
Looking ahead, Minervini has Shall Be and Pratt set to run Saturday week.
“Shall Be was to have resumed at Randwick last Saturday, but I felt it was a bit too quick after he trialled the previous Monday,” he said. “Pratt has won both his starts for us, and will seek a hat-trick at Wyong.”
Meanwhile, two-year-old Gemologist, a strong-finishing third from a wide gate over 1400m at Rosehill Gardens on June 14, has gone for a spell. His older half-brother Rotagilla, bred by Steve and Lorraine Middledorp of Port Macquarie, won over 1600m at Royal Randwick last weekend.
Photo: Bradley Photos