Tivaci WSNZBred winner for Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald

Jockey Beau Mertens is confident Tango Queen (ex Facade) can make her way through the grades in Victoria.

He guided the three-year-old to her breakthrough victory over 1400 metres at Sale this afternoon and expects the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained daughter of Tivaci to continue to improve.

Tango Queen was quickly into stride to settle in the trail and the Waikato Stud-bred filly let down strongly in the run home to score with authority.

“She’s a big girl and it was a really good win, she travelled extra well and did it easily,” Mertens said.

“I didn’t have to ask too much of her and she got the 1400 easily so should be able to step put over a bit further.”

Tango Queen was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Neasham for $75,000 and is the first winner of the Savabeel mare Façade, who had an Ocean Park filly last season and is again due to foal to the sire.

Façade is a daughter of the Listed Soliloquy Stakes winner Masquerade who is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winer Costume.

Waikato Stud will next offer a Tivaci at the upcoming NZB Ready to Run Sale, Lot 252 ex Zaburn who breezed in 10.77 and will be offered on Thursday, 21 November.

Recent News
30 October 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

The writing of my Corner started many years ago, motivated by an irritation that I felt needed scratching. It was never my intention to make my commentary regular; neither did I intend to reinvent the direction of racing administration. It is both disappointing and ironical that what should be a simple, straightforward business provides a regular need for comment.

Read More
27 October 2026

Ocean Park’s With Grace seals NZ Cup berth

South Auckland mare With Grace secured her berth in next month’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton when extending her winning sequence to four with victory in the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway 2100 at Te Rapa on Labour Day Monday.

Read More