Tanganyika Wins at Te Rapa - Full Brother K2

Media Release - Saturday December 21

A pair of talented three-year-olds from last season locked horns in the Te Rapa straight on Saturday, with Tanganyika claiming a narrow win over Talisker in the Print House (1400m).

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Tanganyika showed real promise in a five-start campaign as a three-year-old, recording two wins, a second and a third. His only time outside the top three was in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in February, where he finished strongly from last to cross the line fifth and only a length from the winner. That black-type feature was won by Pericles, who himself scored a stylish win at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Tanganyika kicked off his current campaign with a fourth and a fifth over 1100m and 1200m, making up eye-catching ground in the final stages on both occasions. The step up to 1400m on Saturday looked ready-made for the Ace High gelding, and he was sent out as a $2 favourite.

For a large part of the race, it seemed likely that Tanganyika would find the Rating 75 as easy on the track as it looked on paper. He cruised in fourth as Leroy Brown set a solid speed out in front.

Jockey Masa Hashizume began to move Tanganyika through his gears coming up to the home turn, and he loomed ominously behind Leroy Brown and Talisker coming into the straight.

But when Hashizume released the brakes and drove Tanganyika past that pair, last year’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) runner-up Talisker saw him coming and went with him. It developed into a head-bobbing duel through the last 200m, with neither gelding giving an inch.

Talisker fought for all he was worth, but Tanganyika gradually gained the upper hand and edged out his gallant rival by a neck. Talisker beat the third-placed Keegan by two and three-quarter lengths.

Advertisement

Tanganyika winning the Print House (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Tanganyika’s eight-start career has now produced three wins, two placings and $57,820 in stakes.

“He’s a horse with a huge amount of ability and he has it all in front of him,” Scott said. “It was a good race for him today, going up to the seven furlongs and being able to settle a bit closer in the running. In those first couple of runs back, he was disadvantaged by wide barriers and had to drop well back over those shorter distances.

“He had a bit of luck go his way today and was able to take advantage of that with a strong win. He’s a horse we’ve always had a good opinion of, and he showed plenty of potential as a three-year-old last season. He’s still learning all the time.

“His position in the ratings means we can probably give him another run in Rating 75 company before we start raising the bar higher with him. We’ll be patient with him, give him another opportunity in this grade and hopefully continue to build his confidence up.”

Tanganyika is by promising Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High out of a three-quarter-sister to the multiple Group winner Beauden. His second dam is the Group One performer Flying Babe, who was New Zealand’s champion two-year-old in 2000-01. Tanganyika was offered by Rich Hill at the 2021 National Weanling Sale at Karaka, where his owners the Olsen Partnership bought him for $42,500.

Rich Hill Stud will offer a full-brother to Tanganyika at Karaka 2025 in late January. The Ace High colt will go through the ring as Lot 670 in the Book 2 session. LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Print House (Bm75) 1400m

Te Rapa Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:23.32
1
Tanganyika
- 4g Ace High (AUS) x Jezibaba (NZ) (Bullbars (AUS))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: M Hashizume 56
NZB National Weanling Sale $42,500
Seller: Rich Hill Stud
Buyer: Olsen Partnership
2
0.3
Talisker
- 4g Embellish (NZ) x Glenkinchie (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: A Lawson-Carroll 58.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $70,000
Seller: Landsdowne Park Ltd
Buyer: Mr DC Ellis
3
2.8
Keegan
- 6g Swiss Ace (AUS) x Kilderry (NZ) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: V A Colgan 58
4
4
Leroy Brown
- 4g Ace High (AUS) x Zizi (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 56.5
5
4.5
Rayet
- 4m Tivaci (AUS) x Save The Stars (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & Ryan Foote Rdr: C R Barnes 55
6
5.8
Sir Sterling
- 5g Iffraaj (GB) x Muriwai (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Brennan Rdr: G Rooke 59.5
7
5.8
Harlow Rocks
- 4m Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Show Up (NZ) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: K A Myers 55
More Reading...
How Much for a Snitzel Colt from Winx?
The record price for a yearling by the late champion sire Snitzel stands at $2.8million, but that benchmark looks set to be smashed at Inglis Easter next year.
Profondo Weanlings Impress
The first progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Profondo made a favourable impression during the NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka on Thursday.
Kaha Nui Swoop on Pinhook Prospects
Successful pinhookers Kaha Nui Farm were to the fore at Karaka on Thursday, and were rewarded with the crown of leading buyer at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Big Pedigrees Don’t Always Spell Black Type
The breeding of thoroughbreds is a very inexact science which is why we saw siblings to a pair of Group I winners fighting out the finish of a very pedestrian 1100m maiden at Ballarat on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.