In-form filly primed to produce her best in the Central West

2 hours ago 4

By Neil Evans

March 8, 2026 — 6.00pm

An exciting three-year-old filly facing the starter for only the second time is set to steal the show at Monday’s feature Cowra meeting.

For Digger’s Cup day on a track continuing to dry out and will likely reach a soft six or even soft five, Canberra youngster Tassalina is out to make it two from two in a Class 1 Handicap over 1100m.

Stabled with Todd Smart, Tassalina might just be one of the most talented fillies he’s trained.

A powerful looker, Tassalina is by Golden Gift winner Tassort and out of a King’s Theatre mare.
And she wasted no time announcing her ability on debut at Wagga over 1000m three weeks ago.

Backed from $2.30 into a clear $2.10 favourite, Tassalina settled near last before weaving through the field and sweeping home to win by more than three lengths with seemingly plenty in hand.

That win came 10 days after an eye-catching Canberra trial, and punters were quick to pounce when she headed to the Riverina.

Now going in the other direction on the compass, and on to a small and much tighter track, Tassalina has to overcome a wide draw in a bigger Class 1 field over 1100m.

But connections have always believed she would show her best when she can settle back off the speed and get to the outside of runners over the closing part.

That looks the plan again at Cowra, with form jockey Pierre Boudvillain taking over in the saddle.

Tassalina will be targeted at a bigger sprint feature if all goes to plan on Monday, and may even journey south again for the up-coming Albury carnival.

She can also be part of a big early double strike at Cowra for the Smart stable.

In the opening Maiden Plate over 1200m he saddles up improving four-year-old mare Initiate that looks one of the hardest to beat from a soft draw second-up.

A consistent daughter of Hellbent, Initiate has placed in four of her eight starts, the latest coming off a lengthy break when missing by under a length in a handy maiden at Albury on heavy ground.

In what shapes as a wide and competitive meeting, stables are represented from the Riverina, right across the Central West and Far West, as well as a strong team across from the Bjorn Baker stable at Warwick Farm.