As a New Zealand-bred daughter of Savabeel out of a Pins mare, Tilianam arrived at Tulloch Lodge with little expectation that she would make the grade at two.
But despite her stout pedigree, the filly has shown natural precocity to back up a debut win at Canberra with victory in Saturday’s Listed Lonhro Plate at Randwick.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott said they took the filly on a road trip for her first start to help season her and while she had pleased them since, they were unsure if she might have been looking for further than the 1000 metre journey.
“I guess the concern here today was the 1000 metres but it was her home track and we thought a strongly run 1000 might suit,” Bott said.
“We’ve got a few decisions to make. I don’t think she’s paid up for the Golden Slipper.
“Being a filly by Savabeel out of New Zealand, we weren’t necessarily expecting her to come up this early.”
Tim Clark gave Tilianam ($7) a beautiful run on the back of the speed before launching on the leaders and holding off the late charging Jamaea ($14) by a short neck.
Testimonial ($6) was another 1-1/2 lengths away.
If connections of Tilianam decide to follow a 2021 Golden Slipper path they will need to pay a $150,000 late entry fee for the $3.5 million March 20 feature.