Tifi's Legacy Growing Rapidly

CHRIS O'Brien plans to strike while the iron is hot and return to Wentworth Park this Saturday night with talented littermates Blocker Tifia and Banjo Tifia.

Going around at odds upwards of 25/1, Blocker Tifia was most impressive leading all-the-way in the opener at headquarters on Saturday to score in 30.06, while later on in the program, Banjo Tifia was an eye-catching third to Galaxy Banner in a smart 29.81.

"I gave Blocker Tifia a good chance of leading the other night but thought he might struggle at the finish but as it turned out he was getting to the line as good as anything," said a delighted O'Brien.

"Late last year I sent him down to Victoria to race with Robin Moore and he won a race at Sale and performed well but Robin thought it would be best to send him back and I think coming home has really switched him on."

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A February '16 son of Banjo Boy and Tifia, Saturday night's victory was Blocker Tifia's tenth from 54 starts, and whilst he's just a few months past his third birthday, O'Brien says the last start winner has a nickname around his Nowra Hill base.

"He's a grey beard already if you have a look at him – he looks a lot older than what he is," pointed out O'Brien.

The Nowra Hill trainer was equally happy with Banjo Tifia's eye-catching third to Galaxy Banner later in the night, running home in a smart 11.66.

"Her run home time was great, she just got too far out of her ground early, the winner was too good," added O'Brien.

"The plan is to head back to town this week with the pair. While they are going well we may as well try and strike while the iron is hot."

In awe of the profound success being enjoyed by progeny from his foundation brood bitch Tifi, O'Brien told the Recorder he has high hopes for a well-bred litter just back from the breakers.

"Dave Knocker recently broke-in a Barcia Bale x Tifi For Me litter with very good reports – he was very excited by them," declared O'Brien.

"Tifi For Me's first litter to Banjo Boy have been good but going to Barcia Bale I was hoping they'd go up another level and so far so good. Justifia whelped a litter in March to Fernando Bale and I've also got a pup by Black Magic Opal out of Double Twist as well."

While over the moon with his team's performances at headquarters on Saturday night, O'Brien told the Recorder he couldn't have been happier with the victory by Good Odds Harada in the Group 3 Bob Payne Sprint for Frank Hurst.

Good Odds Harada is a son of Collision and Solar Park, the dam another daughter of O'Brien's prolific producer Tifi, from her 2012 litter to Mogambo.

"I couldn't have been happier for Frank – he's got a really hot pup," added O'Brien.

"I sold Solar Pak to Barry Ward and she's turned out to be a terrific producer."