Tavago (NZ) Shows Star Quality in Sky High Stakes

High-class galloper Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock) showed his true colours with a dominant display in Saturday’s Group 3 McGrath Estate Agents Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill, leading home a quinella for Karaka graduates in the A$350,000 race.

A dominant winner of last year’s Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m), Tavago had gone winless in four starts this season. But the Sydney autumn brings out the best in the gelding, who also relished the step up to 2000 metres as he outclassed his opposition by three and a quarter lengths.

With Blake Shinn in the saddle, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained runner exploded out of midfield and raced away.

“The race was set up for him, they went a great tempo which afforded him to get into a nice rhythm,” Shinn said. “He really let down at the 300 (metres), for a stayer it was quite explosive. The horse is back to his best.”

Tavago was bred by Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan in partnership with Mrs CA & JH Kelly. Offered by Cambridge Stud at the 2014 Premier Sale, he was purchased by Craig Oldfield for $60,000. A full-sister sold at the 2017 Premier Sale for $300,000.

Raced by Oldfield in partnership with Pam Hatchard, Keith Banks and Ross Taylor, Tavago has had 11 starts for four wins, two placings and A$1.61 million in prize-money. Saturday was his third stakes win, having previously won the Australian Derby and the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki.

Runner-up Antonio Giuseppe (NZ) (Shocking) is also a Karaka graduate, offered by Beltana at the 2014 Select Sale. He was bought by Phill Cataldo Bloodstock for $97,500. Raced by AM Muollo and Mrs GL Muollo, he has had 11 starts for six wins, two placings and A$446,033 in prize-money.