89th Stakes Winner for Snitzel

Mark Smith - Saturday March 30

With half of the acceptors scratched, just six went to the post for Saturday's Group III Neville Selwood Stakes (2000m) on a heavy 10 at Rosehill Gardens and it proved the perfect spot for Taikomochi to open his stakes account.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding was taken straight to the front by Sam Clipperton and refused to yield when tackled by Libran (IRE) to win by a short-neck with one and a quarter lengths back to Goathland in third. (images Steve Hart )

Advertisement


Runner-up in the Listed Canberra Cup at his most recent start, the 5yo son of champion stallion Snitzel advances his record to 4 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 13 starts with earnings of $204275.

"He's a very fit horse and that's what you need today on this testing track," Bott said.

"I thought going into Canberra he was open to plenty of improvement, the form coming out of the race has stood up well. We thought coming here today he was in with a live chance as an improver.

"Sam was able to rate him beautifully and that may have been the difference in the end. He was beautiful and relaxed, got some lovely sectionals throughout. He was able to quicken when he needs to and that was probably the difference in the end for us".

Taikomochi was purchased by G Waterhouse / BBA Ireland for $180,000 from the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2015 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

A half-brother to the stakes-placed Mineko (Fastnet Rock), Taikomochi is the best of five winners from seven to race out of the unraced Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) mare Geisha who is a half-sister to the Group III winner Yes Boss and Listed winner Laguna Lake.

Geisha has a 2yo filly by I Am Invincible who was a $160,000 purchase by Shane Nichols Racing at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and a yearling filly by Written Tycoon.

After missing to Zoustar in 2017, Geisha was one of 262 mares to visit Rubick last spring.

Taikomochi becomes the 89th stakes-winner for Snitzel who looks headed for his third consecutive sire title.

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Future Looks Bright for Excess
Corumbene Stud's George Altomonte was impressed enough by Julius Sandhu's handing of Group II MRC Rubiton Stakes winner Lofty Strike to entrust the Cranbourne-based trainer with the full-sister Excess and was rewarded with a debut win at Cranbourne on Thursday.
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.
Snitzel's Away Game Sizzles to Massive Payday in MM Classic
Luke Currie won a second The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) in three years when emerging filly Away Game stunned her rivals in Saturday’s $2 million contest at the Gold Coast.
Super Seth 3YO Salutes for Baker
A tenacious front-running performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill added a first city victory to Puntin’s burgeoning record.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
$2.2 Million Daughter of Snitzel Sets a New Mark for a Filly
Snitzel hit another home run when Arrowfield Stud’s filly from the Group 1 Willian Reid Stakes winner Silent Sedition set a new benchmark for a filly when knocked down to Hawkes Racing for $2,200,000.
Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man – Shinzo Rises to Golden Slipper Triumph
Widely regarded as the most open Golden Slipper for years, the $5million high octane dash at Rosehill on Saturday delivered drama and delight as champion trainer Chris Waller collected his first Golden Slipper trophy with a homebred colt for Coolmore trained to the minute.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.