Tavisan Chasing Stakes Success

Media Release - Thursday September 5

Multiple stakes-placed gelding Tavisan will be aiming to add a black-type victory to his tally when he competes in the Listed Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Tavisan - image Darryl ShererThe Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained four-year-old has been in fine form this preparation, recording two wins and a placing from three starts, including a two length victory at Moonee Valley last start.

It was an all the way victory for the son of Tavistock and Price said it was a brilliant ride by regular rider Ben Melham.

"Melham came out to ride Tavisan a couple of weeks ago and said 'there's not much speed in this race, so I might just take it up', which was quite a brilliant jockey decision by him I thought," Price said.

"It worked really well that day because they sat up for the first half of the race and just allowed him to dash home."

Tavisan will carry 54kg on Saturday and as a result Melham has elected to take the ride aboard The Matthew Dale-trained Fell Swoop who has been allocated 60kg.

"I don't know what Melham's ideal weight is, but that's the only reason (for the rider change)," Price said. "You lose nothing with Dwayne Dunn."

While Tavisan led in his last start, Price isn't convinced that will be the case on Saturday.

Advertisement

"It's a bit different this race," he said. "At about the 300 or 400m there could be two or three in front of him.

"He's a brilliant beginner, I will just leave it to Dwayne. He usually rides with a good sense of timing and gets it right, but I'm not sure that he leads."

Tavisan has been gelded since his three-year-old season and Price believes that has been a big assistance.

"He will certainly be competitive (on Saturday)," Price said. "He ran as a colt in a lot of his nice three-year-old stakes races and his run at Moonee Valley behind Brutal was very good.

"I think you should judge Tavisan on being a gelding now, not his previous form. You can see how consistent he is, he likes Moonee Valley and I wouldn't be surprised if he won, but he will be competitive with these horses."

Tavisan was purchased by Ontrack Thoroughbreds out of Hallmark Stud's New Zealand Bloodstock 2017 Premier Yearling Sale draft for $135,000.

He commenced his racing career with Matamata trainer Jacob McKay before transferring across the Tasman. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Surgery for Tavistock
Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock suffered a serious injury to his near fore foot eight days ago.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Joe Pride has already prepared a stakes-winner for Godolphin in blue-blood Lonhro colt Attica and he unleashed a debut winner for them by I Am Invincible at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Cambridge Stud Mare Primed for Return
Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua.
Breeding to Win – 2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas
The Golden Rose is loud in the conversation these days - but the time honoured G1 Caulfield Guineas still speaks with authority to the notion of a “sire making” race for three year olds - because it is run at the true Classic distance.
Anders Colt Goes Two for Two
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and Anders three year-old Young Mister Grace has some big shoes to fill, but made it two wins from two starts when scoring at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 8
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 Breeze Ups Postponed One Week
NZB has made the decision to postpone the Breeze Ups for the 2025 Ready to Run Sale due to unfavourable weather conditions with heavy rain and wind predicted through to Tuesday.
Three 2.2million Guineas Colts Top Second Day of Tattersalls Book 1 - Two by Wootton Bassett
The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw a further six lots realise seven-figure prices headed by a trio of colts, two by the late WOOTTON BASSETT, both bought by Amo Racing, and one by FRANKEL, at 2,200,000 guineas. The average was an impressive 352,672 guineas.
Andy Caps positive week for Alwyn Park
Alwyn Park Stud owner John Andrew has received a positive post-script to Magnificent Andy’s victory in the inaugural $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) at Kalgoorlie on Saturday.
Tavistock Dies at Cambridge Stud
Cambridge Stud reported eight weeks ago that Tavistock suffered a life-threatening injury in a freak paddock accident.