Co-trainer Trent Busuttin says Tavago's looks could deceive many when he parades before Saturday's Group I ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
Tavago is by Tavistock, the same sire as the Australian Derby favourite Tarzino but Busuttin said the similarities end there, noting his charge has much more development ahead of him.
"His odds will drift out 10 points if we end up near Tarzino in the parade ring," Busuttin, who trains Tavago in partnership with Natalie Young, said.
"I weighed him this morning and he weighs 458 kilos and he looks like he could do with a good feed.
"He just needs time. He's probably got another 50 or 60kg minimum to put into his frame but the only thing that will do that is maturity and time but it probably worries me more than the horse."
Busuttin noted another smart son of Tavistock, Werther, was a similar type when he landed in Australia before he won the Group II Eagle Farm Cup and finished second in the Queensland and South Australian Derbies.
Tavago has won twice and placed twice in his six starts to date but pleased Busuttin with how he bounced back when a fast-finishing sixth in the New Zealand Derby after running last on hard ground in the Group I Waikato Guineas.
Tavago raced back in the field before running home well to finish less than a length from the winner Rangipo and fellow Australian Derby hopeful What's The Story in the NZ Derby on March 5.
"Things didn't go his way in the New Zealand Derby, he just didn't put himself in the race. It was no-one's fault," Busuttin said.
"Going out of the straight the first time, while he was back there, he got absolutely flattened by one coming through and it knocked the stuffing out of him and it took until the half-mile for him to get going.
"His sectionals were fantastic. "
Busuttin will leave Saturday's instructions to jockey Tommy Berry, who will have the benefit of barrier one.
Bookies have Tavago as a $51 chance in the latest Australian Derby betting.
