Established in 2017, the 900m Max Lees Classic at Newcastle has quickly made its mark in terms of producing future stakes winners. 2017 winner Jonker went on to win the Listed Wyong Magic Millions and be placed several times at Group 2 level, while 2018 winner Strasbourg went on to win the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes later in his 2YO season.
With that in mind it was very promising to see Belinda Bateman homebred Tilia Rose win this year’s edition, and in a time significantly faster than both of those colts, which bodes very well for her future.
Prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden, Tilia Rose showed an outstanding and professional attitude here, while also demonstrating abundant speed in smashing the class record and recording a sizzling 32.12 seconds for her final 600m.
She is a daughter of Written Tycoon and is the only foal out of JHB yearling purchase Prevail. A daughter of Redoute’s Choice, Prevail only made two starts on the track, including when fourth as favourite in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes. Prevail was a three-quarter sister to 2YO stakes winner Weatherly, and from a family littered with juvenile stars, such as G2 Reisling Stakes winner Hips Don’t Lie and G1 Golden Slipper Stakes 3rd Lake Geneva.
Tilia Rose now heads to the paddock for a short break before returning with the aim of adding to her family’s great juvenile stakes race record in the Autumn.
Congratulations to her owner and breeder Belinda Bateman.