Promising stayer Taiyoo cemented favouritism for the Adelaide Cup with a tough win in the Group 3 $115,000 James Boags Premium Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville today.
Taiyoo held off Lucky Lucky Lucky (outside) to win the Group 3 Lord Remis Stakes and continue his winning streak. Photo by Jenny Barnes
Taiyoo ($1.40 favourite), under the hard riding of apprentice Jye McNeil, fought off the challenge of Lucky Lucky Lucky ($4.20) who never gave up with the outsider Gossip Guru ($61) also running a bold race to finish in third spot.
Taiyoo will clash again with Lucky Lucky Lucky and Gossip Guru and most of the Lord Reims Stakes field in the Group 2 $400,000 Tattsbet Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on March 9.
The Darren Weir trained Taiyoo is a winner of thirteen races from twenty-six starts and made it five wins on trot today after the five year old had worked his way up through the classes starting with a win over 2000m at Flemington on January 17.
Weir gradually stepped the gelding up in distance winning his next two starts over 2400m at Sandown in restricted class before stepping up to Listed class to win the $150,000 ADAPT Australia Torney Night Cup over 2500m at Moonee Valley on February 20.
Today was Taiyoo’s first try at the 2600m and showed that the step up to the 3200m of the Adelaide Cup will be well within his capabilities.
Lucky Lucky Lucky was also having his first run over 2600m and trainer Tony McEvoy will have to make the call if he thinks the five year old will handle the step up to 3200m.
