Tulla Stud sire Speed ‘n’ Power was represented by his first winner at Albury on Thursday.

Speedy Holly (3f Speed ‘n’ Power – Best Of Pals by Kenny’s Best Pal) made the breakthrough with a fast-finishing victory in the Net Intellect Maiden Plate (1000m).  Trained locally by Rob Wellington for owner Steve Pitts, she ran down You’re Kidding Me (Zizou) after the favourite appeared to have pinched a winning break at the furlong.

Speed ‘n’ Power is a son of Zabeel and he stands at Tulla Stud which is located on the NSW side of the Murray River at Wakool.

Tulla studmaster Paddy Hare was looking for a sire prospect a few years ago after his previous stallion Under A Spell (Bletchingly) suffered a broken shoulder.  “I was put in touch with Sir Patrick Hogan and he said Speed ‘n’ Power was available,” Hare recalled.  “My wife and I went over to New Zealand and we were both blown away by the set-up at Cambridge Stud.

“Sir Patrick is an absolute gentleman to do business with and he said Speed ‘n’ Power was the image of Zabeel at the same age.  He had been sold at the Karaka yearling sale for $1.60 million but didn’t race due to an infected pedal bone.”

Speed ‘n’ Power is out of Caulfield stakes winner Miss Power Bird (Mukaddamah) and she is a half-sister to Champion Hong Kong Miler Lucky Owners (Danehill) and the dam of Champion Australian 3YO Filly Mosheen (Fastnet Rock).

Second dam Miss Priority (Kaapstad) is a half-sister to Might And Power who is arguably the greatest of Zabeel’s 145 stakes winners.

“Speed ‘n’ Power has only had three starters from his first crop,” Hare said.  “Rob and Steve also race The Whistler who was runner-up at Wodonga before going out for a spell.  He will definitely win this time in.”

Speed ‘n’ Power stood at Tulla Stud for a $1,500 (inc gst) service fee last year.  Paddy Hare can be contacted on 03 5453 8284.

– Karl Patterson