Brilliant Return for Gallant Tess

7th July 2007

Quality filly Gallant Tess (3f Galileo - Dragoncello, by Diesis) returned from a spell of 34 weeks to post a devastating three length win at Rosehill on Saturday in the restricted event for fillies and mares over 1200 metres.

Superbly ridden by Nash Rawiller, Gallant Tess chimed in with a furlong to run and skipped away in the twinkling of an eye to score the easiest of wins.

A stakes-winner at two in the Listed AJC Fernhill Handicap, Gallant Tess was placed in the Group Two STC Tea Rose Stakes and AJC Furious Stakes last spring, but had not been seen since finishing down the track in the Group One VRC Oaks.

Tuned up with a barrier trial on June 29, astute trainer David Payne had her ready to fire and she did not disappoint.

“She has got back in her races in the past and she surprised me a bit today,” said Payne.

“She’s developed into more of a racehorse now. She’s a class filly and knowing what its all about she is only going to get better.”

Purchased privately after passing in at the 2005 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when offered by Kitchwin Hills as agent, Gallant Tess has won two races and placed three times earning close to $200,000 in prizemoney.

She is the seventh foal of the Diesis mare Dragoncello, an unraced half-sister to American Group One winner Little Brianne.

Galileo has shuttled to Australia for the last five seasons but will remain at Coolmore Ireland this year where he commands a fee of 150,000 euros.