Tough Tilly to become a mum

Owner-breeder Craig Judd, from Benstud Standardbreds, told From The Horse’s Mouth on Tuesday that the Emma Stewart-trained pacer had been served by Tall Dark Stranger and the embryo placed in a recipient mare, who was now in the ninth month of her pregnancy journey.

Judd said it was a spur of the moment decision to breed with the mare, who was given a lengthy spell after her victory over stablemate Ladies In Red in the Group 1 APG Gold Bullion Series 4YO Mares Final during May.

“There will be a foal hitting the ground this year,” Judd said.

“It was only that we had a look at the upcoming season, and we thought there was a possibility of going to Queensland and then we decided against it.

“We gave her that extended spell. I think we thought we might just see how she looks, how she’s cycling and the likes.

“The decision was sort of made on the run to be perfectly honest.

“She looked good, we bred her and we flushed an embryo seven days later.”

Tough Tilly, who races to raise funds and awareness for EB Research, is a winner of 11 races and more than $450,000 in prizemoney. She was given her first trial since returning to work at Melton on Tuesday and is expected to resume in the Group 3 Make Mine Cullen on October 8.