PROMISING FILLY’S OWNERS “IN THE PINK”

THE Provincial-Midway Championships might never see a sight like it if Tickle Me Pink makes next year’s Final!

The emerging three-year-old filly is raced by a ladies’ syndicate, races in special pink colours befitting her name – and took another step toward an important autumn goal when she made it two in a row at her home track at Newcastle yesterday.

Ridden by Luke Rolls, Tickle Me Pink ($17) successfully made the grade from country to the provincials when she took the Midway Class 1 Handicap (1200m), defeating Expido ($6) and $4.20 favorite Oakfield Neptune.

She quickly settled into second place outside the leader The Grey ($5 second favorite) and sustained a determined burst in the straight to pull clear and score by one and a half lengths.

The daughter of Golden Slipper winner Vancouver had broken through with authority in a Port Macquarie Maiden Plate (1206m) on June 24 after being terribly unlucky when seventh as an odds-on favorite in a Muswellbrook Maiden Plate (1280m) 11 days earlier.

It’s never a snap for a horse to go from winning a Maiden to doubling up next start in a Class 1 – and even more so when it’s country to provincial – but trainer Mark Minervini didn’t have any doubts about the task.

“Tickle Me Pink ran second at Gosford in late May at her first start since last October, and that gave me the confidence to believe she could do it,” Minervini said this morning.

“I thought she was pretty impressive. They had their chance to beat her in the straight.

“Luke (Rolls), who has now ridden her twice for the two wins, feels 1400m won’t be a problem for her.

“I’m not in any hurry to take her town yet as next autumn’s Provincial-Midway Championships looks an ideal goal.

“All going well she can run in a 1400m Benchmark 64 Handicap at home on August 2, and I probably won’t go too much further with her this campaign.

“It should work out well. Tickle Me Pink can have a break on some nice spring grass and then get ready for the Championships.”

Minervini had a crack at the Provincial-Midway series earlier this year with another four-year-old Rubi’s Serve (Tickle Me Pink will also be four next season).

“Rubi’s Serve ran fourth from an awkward barrier in a strong heat (subsequent Final winner Matcha Latte ran third to Welcometobarbados and runner-up Lord Of Biscay was second) at Newcastle in March, and then was telling me she had enough when unplaced next start in another heat at home, and I turned her out.”

Minervini secured Tickle Me Pink for $25,000 as a 2023 Inglis Classic yearling, and considered she would be an ideal proposition for a ladies’ syndicate, which comprises women from New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.

Minervini’s wife Michelle manages the syndicate, and the filly has now returned more than double her purchase price.

Tickle Me Pink didn’t race as a two-year-old; her trainer explaining that she is a “big girl” at 17 hands high and needed time.

“She had trialled well, and we had a shot at a $50,000 Super Maiden Plate (1200m) at Port Macquarie last October for her debut,” Minervini said.

“But she wasn’t physically mature enough to handle it, and we gave her a good break afterwards.

“Tickle Me Pink is now showing the benefit of that patience with her.

“The big track at Newcastle suits her, and Randwick will also.”

From Minervini’s part, 2024-25 has been an excellent season for the South Aussie expat.

Tickle Me Pink was his 22^nd winner – more than double last year’s number of 10.

. HOOFNOTE: Tickle Me Pink’s colours are pink, white champagne glasses, white sleeves with pink stars, and pink cap with white stars.

Story John Curtis, July 16, 2025 - Pics - Bradley Photos