If Australian Bloodstock was disappointed with the performance of their colour-bearer Mustajeer (GB) in the Melbourne Cup it didn’t take long to bounce back with the Bel Esprit gelding Tactical Advantage breaking a run of outs in the Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) at Flemington.
Ridden by Damien Oliver for trainer Kris Lees, Tactical Advantage pounced on the leaders in the final two hundred metres to defeat
Holbien (Pierro) by one and a half lengths with Milwaukee (Fastnet Rock) one and a quarter lengths back in third.
It was his first win since the Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford in January.
“We were really happy with him coming here today. He came out of his Caulfield run quite well, he was unknown up the straight, but he got a lovely ride and everything set up nicely for him,” Lees said.
“There was a good tempo and Damien exposed him at the right time and he was very strong and it was a perfect surface for him.”
A Gooree Stud homebred that was purchased by Australian Bloodstock last year, Tactical Advantage advances his record to 10 wins, 6 seconds and 2 thirds from 28 starts with earnings of $707,650.
Tactical Advantage is the best of five winners from as many to race out of the Group III placed Encosta de Lago mare Above Perfection, a daughter of stakes-winner Actress from the family of Gooree Stud's Group I winners Desert War, Laser Hawk and Romantic Touch.
Above Perfection has a 2yo filly by Artie Schiller (USA) named Kaakit Akit, a yearling colt by Shalaa (IRE) and foaled a Smart Missile filly two weeks back.
Sun Stud’s 20-year-old sire Bel Esprit continues to churn out the winners, which is why he remains one of Victoria’s most popular stallions at a fee of $11,000.
