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 Karaka Book 2 $0
Seller: Rich Hill Stud
Buyer: Withdrawn
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 Ready To Run Sale $0
Seller: Riversley Park Ltd
Buyer: Psd, Res $80,000
NZB Karaka Book 2 $30,000
Seller: Landsdowne Park Ltd
Buyer: Toro Bloodstock
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...
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Too Darn Hot nomination realises $255,000 in August (Late) Sale
A nomination in exceptional young stallion Too Darn Hot has topped today’s Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, selling for $255,000.
Five Lots Announced for Tattersalls Online Barrier Trials Pop-Up Sale
Tattersalls Online, Europe’s leading online thoroughbred sales platform, will break new ground when offering for auction five lots who took part in the ITM Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Leopardstown Racecourse earlier this week. The sale which takes place on 3rd – 4th September can be viewed on the Tattersalls Online website www.tattersallsonline.com.
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
2025 NZB Ready to Run Catalogue Online - World’s Most Successful 2YO Sale
The catalogue for the 2025 edition of the leading sale of two-year-olds is now online and in mailboxes, with NZB excited to unveil another stellar offering at the Ready to Run Sale.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.