Horse of the Week: Tavago

Published: 03 Apr 2016

Out of the shadows - Tavago parading ahead of his big Derby win

Only two horses were well-backed from their opening quotes in the Australian Derby. Hot favourite TARZINO firmed from even money into $1.65 and there was specking for fellow son of Tavistock TAVAGO into $31 from a longer quote.

Even the most optimistic supporter of TAVAGO couldn't have dreamed of what happened next though, the athletic Kiwi strode clear from the chasing pack to win by a widening 3.3 lengths! TARZINO left floundering in 4th.

The winner had an 'up-and-down' preparation into the Derby on Saturday, a one-time favourite for the NZ Derby after running well over a mile, he failed at his fifth start over 2,000 metres in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas. Punters then forgot him and he started a $22 chance in the NZ Derby, where he produced a barnstorming finish to run 6th after getting checked twice in the race.

And we all know what happened next, that strong finishing surge went up a notch at Randwick. A performance worthy of Horse of the Week.

Breeding

Sired by Tavistock, from Sara Ann (Sire of Dam Stravinsky)

Type

Three year old Bay Gelding born 3/11/2012

Features

Finishing Surge

Weaknesses

Can Jump Slowly & Not Always Reliable

Record

3 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 7 starts. Total Prize-money of $1,398,270

Career Wins

02/04/16 – Bmw Australian Derby (G1) at Randwick over 2400m – Jockey Tommy Berry
27/11/15 – Wellington Stakes (G3) at Otaki over 1600m – Jockey D S Johnson
07/11/15 – Fairview Motors Mdn at Te Rapa over 1600m – Jockey S T Collett

Quick Facts

Sired by the same stallion as TARZINO, except this guy is a gelding.
Bred from mare Sara Ann, who has a couple of offspring racing well in Hong Kong. Aussie trainer John Thompson is so pleased with his two-year-old filly Cara Blanco (also bred from Sara Ann) that he bought the next Sara Ann colt from New Zealand this year!
Purchased at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for $60,000 from the Cambridge Stud draft.
His light lean conformation suggested Randwick might suit, a tough type that could lack the power needed for firm tracks.
Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are now moving to Victoria to train.
Talk of the Queensland Derby, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup for the remainder of 2016..

Into the history books - Tavago strides clear to win the Group One Australian Derby