Bumper Saturday for Go Racing

Media Release - Thursday March 6

New Zealand-based syndicator Go Racing are looking forward to a bumper day of racing on Saturday, where they will be represented in feature races on both sides of the Tasman.

On Champions Day at Ellerslie, they have a leading prospect in the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) courtesy of the Chris Waller-trained Tajanis, who has been in a purple patch of form in Sydney.

Penman will carry Go Racing's silks in Saturday's $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The five-year-old son of Australia has won his last two outings, including the Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm, which booked his ticket across the Tasman.

Purchased by Go Racing out of Tattersalls 2023 Horses in Training Sale for 40,000 guineas, Tajanis is looming to be a leading light for Go Racing in the autumn, with a tilt at the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on the cards if he handles the two-mile marathon this weekend.

Tajanis (IRE) is primed to run a big race on Saturday - image Bradly Photography

“It took him a while to get accustomed to racing in Australia, but once he did and his confidence got up, he has gone to another level and has improved with every start,” Go Racing General Manager Matt Allnutt said.

“He is going into Saturday off the back of a good win, he has travelled over well, he galloped nicely on Tuesday morning, he has a good jockey (Michael McNab) and a good draw (3), everything looks to be in order. We just need him to run out the two miles now.

“Before his last start we had the Auckland Cup in-mind and then he came out and won quite impressively, so we pushed the button on the plan to bring him over. If he does see out the distance and goes a really nice race, it certainly opens options up for us back in Australia.”

Go Racing has continued to expand their business into buying tried horses in the northern hemisphere and race them down under, and Allnutt said his connections are having the time of their life racing the gelding.

“A big part of the business now is buying up in the UK and bringing them down,” he said. “It is really exciting to see it pay off, and having a horse run in the Auckland Cup is certainly exciting. There will be a heap of owners on course, and we will have a great day regardless.”

Tajanis heads the TAB market for the Auckland Cup on $3.40, with the Lance Noble-trained About Time on the second line of betting at $5.50.

While looking forward to the Auckland Cup, Go Racing will also have plenty to cheer for in the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), with the Stephen Marsh-trained Penman running in the slot of Barneswood Brady Nakhle.

Advertisement

The son of Contributer heads into the feature in outstanding form, winning his last three outings, and is rated a $23 chance on Saturday, with Australian raiders Evaporate, Public Attention and Perfumist leading the market at $2.60, $5.50 and $8 respectively.

“He is in super form,” Allnutt said. “He has been racing really well, and he has gone to another level in his last three starts. I thought his last run at Ellerslie was super, he probably had no right to win that given he couldn’t get out until about the 100m mark.

“We are looking forward to the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi and it is a real honour to have a runner in it.”

Meanwhile, across the Tasman, Go Racing’s Group One darling Atishu will be vying to add another elite-level victory to her tally when she heads to Flemington to contest the A$2.5 million All-Star Mile (1600m).

“She has come back well,” Allnutt said. “It has been well publicised that we decided not to sell her last season. Subsequently she went on to place in Group Ones and won a Group One (Empire Rose, 1600m), so the decision certainly paid off.

“The small field (seven runners) is a bit of a worry regarding what the tempo is going to be like in the race, but if she can get a drag into it, and if they go at a decent gallop, I think the mile will suit.

“She loves Flemington, she races well there, she seems to find another couple of lengths when she is racing there.

“There are a group of owners going over to watch her, they are booked in for her the next three starts, so they are pretty pumped, and we are too.”

Go Racing’s silks will also be carried at Flemington by Etna Rosso in the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m).

“He’s had a couple of starts this time in and he is building nicely,” Allnutt said. “He is getting out to a distance that suits. He performed really well last campaign, he won the Newcastle Cup (Gr.3, 2300m) and we were right in the nominations for the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m) until he just came to the end of his preparation. He is another nice chance on Saturday.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Bred to Win Returns on Monday night
Caroline Searcy’s Bred To Win returns this Monday night profiling new and proven stallions heading into the Spring of 2025 and promoting the thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia and around the world.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.