Confidently backed Taksu returned from his trip to Queensland to lead every step of the way in Saturday’s Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Glyn Schofield for Joe Pride, Taksu had the chasers off the bit before the home turn. On tired legs in the final stages, the 6yo son of Equiano (FR) had enough left in the tank to defeat Oscar Zulu (Epaulette) by neck with Looks Like Elvis (All American) three-quarter of a length back in third.
After beginning life with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Taksu had his first run for Pride in June last year.
With his first stakes win in the bag, Taksu advances his record to seven wins, eight seconds, and four thirds from 28 starts with earnings of $491,135.
“He didn’t like Eagle Farm and I was not sure about him on the dry track today,” Pride said.
This is the best race he’s won and it was on a dry today, albeit a winter track
“We will probably come back in a couple of weeks for the Winter Stakes.
“We were toying with the idea to put him out after Queensland, but this is the right time of year for him, and it’s a great result for connections.”
A half-brother to Group 1 BRC Stradbroke Handicap and Group 1 Tatt's QLD Tattersall's Tiara winner Srikandi, and Group III South African winner, Rain Gal (Galileo), Taksu is the sixth and penultimate foal of the Hurricane Sky mare Raining.
Consigned by Kitchwin Hills to the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Taksu left the ring unsold when bidding fell short of his $80,000 reserve.
Taksu becomes the 19th stakes-winner for Swettenham Stud’s 5-season shuttler Equiano (FR).
