Tessabelle streets her rivals

Trainer Mark Kavanagh saddled up his fourth Sandown winner in as many weeks when Tessabelle streeted her rivals in the opening event today.

She joined Street Sharp, Land of Freedom and Honourable Tycoon as recent winners at the venue when she led all the way for her maiden victory.

Partnered with in form rider Craig Williams Tessabelle bounced to the front from barrier two and controlled the pace. Ah Oh Whey Oh joined her on the turn but could not match her acceleration from the 300 metre mark and was left in her wake some three and three quarters of a length astern. Marwinzig was third another length and a quarter away.

A lightly raced four-year-old Tessabelle had registered two seconds and two thirds from her seven previous starts and appreciated the step up to 1500 metres for the first time this campaign.

"I liked the distance today for her - she's been very competitive and consistent in her seven starts to date - really close at seven (furlongs) and really close at a mile," Williams told on course reporters "..and I think today the way she won will give her a lot of confidence going forward".

As an interesting aside Williams noted that he had ridden Tessabelle's dam Varevees in the Melbourne Cup.

"I did ride her mother. Unfortunately Varevees did pass (at stud since) but she was my ride in the Melbourne Cup that year so we know she's (Tessabelle) got scope".

Varevees, a Group 3 winner over 3100 metres and a Group 1 placegetter in France, was imported from that country in 2008 and was subsequently 14th in Viewed's Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh purchased Tessabelle from the 2013 Inglis Premier sale for $55,000. She is a daughter of Street Cry, sire of Kavanagh's Melbourne Cup winner Shocking and Caulfield Guineas winner Whobegotyou.