Emma Pritchard|

Despite being last out of the barriers, Tamilaide was first where it counted as the progressive three-year-old gelding swooped down the outside of the track to win the 2021 Tursa Grafton Guineas over 1600m on July 7.

Sent out as the short-priced favourite, the son of 2014 W.S Cox Plate winner Adelaide (IRE) missed the kick by three quarters of a length and settled near the rear of the 12 horse field before jockey Ben Thompson managed to steer the galloper around the outside at the top of the home straight to set up a barnstorming finish.

Relishing the Soft 5 surface, Tamilaide strode clear to win by one and a half lengths from Too Good To Be Tru and Oakfield Arrow in a time of 1:36:84.

It was the geldings third win and he is yet to miss a place in six career starts.

Gold Coast trainer Les Kelly revealed he was extremely relieved following Tamilade’s victory, and said while the horse had struck plenty of trouble in his previous starts, he “deserved to win a good race.”

The horse also appeared better suited by the bigger track at Grafton after racing on tighter circuits in Queensland.

Retained to race by his breeders Fred and Desley Monsour, Tamilaide’s Grafton Guineas success saw his current earnings top $100000.

It is currently undecided if Tamilaide will race again this preparation or head to the spelling paddock.