In an energy-sapping finish, the Joe Pride-trained Taksu outbattled lightweight Jojo Was a Man in Saturday's $160,000 Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Coming off a win in the Listed Civic Stakes over the same track and distance on June 25, the rising 7yo son of Equiano (FR) held a rallying Jojo Was A Man (Al Maher) by a short-head with a further two and a half lengths back to Chief Altony (Rebel Raider) in third.
Reece Jones, on the runner-up, fired in a protest against the winner for running out and taking his line, which was dismissed.
"He's tough, isn't he? That was a good effort today as he has been in work since December and started racing in February," Pride said.
"He will be given a break now. I won't bring him back for the 1500m in a couple of weeks. It's not that he won't run 1500m it is more that he looked a little tired today."
Beginning his career with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Taksu advances his record to eight eight four from 29 starts with earnings of $574,135.
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.
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.
Taksu is one of 19 stakes-winners for Swettenham Stud's 5-season shuttler Equiano (FR).
