Trainer Trent Busuttin is confident that Tavago will prove tough to beat under the conditions when he takes to the Rosehill Gardens course on Saturday for the Group 1 The BMW (2400m).
Tavago will contest Saturday’s Group 1 The BMW third-up. Photo: Steve Hart
Tavago announced himself to the Australian racing community when he debuted for a dominant win in the 2016 edition of the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m), but the horse failed to come up in the spring and was sent to the paddock after reaching any of his major campaign targets.
Having returned to the races this time for a credible fifth in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) on February 25th, the son of Tavistock stormed home to win the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill by close to four lengths last time out on March 11th.
A notable performer on rain-soaked tracks throughout his entire racing career to date, Busuttin is confident that Tavago will be right in the finish of The BMW, regardless of the integrity of the Rosehill surface.
“It’s something we don’t have to worry about,” Busuttin told AAP.
“He enjoys a wet track so we’re certainly going to get that on Saturday.
“He’ll get conditions to suit and I think he’ll be very hard to beat.
“They’ve got to be right on their game to be winning or competitive in these sorts of races, and he is.
“He’s absolutely flying.”
Tavago made his competitive debut in New Zealand during the spring of 2015 and has subsequently posted a commendable race record of four wins and a further two minors, through only eleven competitive starts.
Having broken through for his first black type win in the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) early in 2016, Tavago worked to the line well to finish third in the Listed Karaka 3YO Mile (1600m), but failed to beat a single runner home in the Group 2 Waikato Guineas (2000m).
Ending his tenure across the ditch a luckless sixth in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Tavago has won more than $1.5 million in prize money through his short career.
The 2017 The BMW field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering Tavago at early 2017 The BMW odds of $4.80.
