American business tycoon John Stewart has pulled a Group 1 shock in the Queensland Oaks, revealing he has scratched his $3.2m filly Tutta La Vita and will send her to his homeland instead.
The Kentucky-based businessman, who famously went to $9m to buy Winx’s Piero filly earlier this year, told Racenet Tutta La Vita’s last two runs have not been up to scratch and has aspirations to run her at the Breeders’ Cup in November this year at Del Mar instead.
The Chris Waller filly was one of an army of Queensland Oaks runners for the champion trainer, but has now had her last run for him.
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The big spending Stewart splashed $3.2m to buy Tutta La Vita at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale last month, who became the first horse in Australia to wear his black and blue Resolute Racing colours.
“We think Tutta La Vita can benefit from some rest,” Stewart told Racenet from Kentucky.
“Her last couple of races have not been up to expectations and we think there are some nice turf races in the US beginning this summer that we would like to target for her.”
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John Stewart will send an army of horses to Australia for the spring. Picture: Supplied
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When asked if the showcase Breeders’ Cup meeting, which has a slew of big money races on, was on the cards, Stewart said: “That’s the plan.”
The move was made with Waller’s support, with the trainer set to receive a number of Resolute Racing horses in the future.
Stewart said he wanted to target the looming spring carnival with a number of horses, who would make their way Down Under from America.
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“We also have some horses in the US that we think will add some excitement in Australia that we will be sending down to be ready for the spring races,” he said.
Tutta La Vita will finish her career in Australia with $521,000 in prizemoney after only managing to run eighth in the Group 2 The Roses at Doomben last month behind boom filly Scarlet Oak.
It leaves Waller with at least five runners in the race, along with two emergencies.
Scarlet Oak is a dominant $3.60 favourite, with Kiwi raider Molly Bloom a $5 second elect.
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