Talented five-year-old Tavi Time edged out Osipenko in a thrilling finish to the Gr.3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day.
The Kris Lees-trained son of Tavistock was ridden by Jay Ford and carried a somewhat luxury weight of 53kgs after lumping big weights in handicaps at his past two outings, having previously run well when fourth in the A$3 million Big Dance (1600m).
Tavi Time wins his first stakes race in the G3 Summer Cup - image Bradley Photography
Coming from midfield, Tavi Time had to wait to clear rivals heels and wore down fellow Kiwi bred Osipenko, who cruised up behind the leader Townsend upon straightening after making the most of an inside draw.
The pair cleared out with the deciding stride going Tavi Time’s way to win by a nose from Osipenko, with three lengths back to Townsend in third.
Tavi Time has proved a good money spinner for connections, winning on eight occasions from 18 starts, but this was his first victory over 2000m as he added another string to his bow.
“Full credit to the horse, it’s his first time out to 2000m and what better way to try it than with a luxury weight of 53kgs,” stable representative Danny Greer said.
“He is a horse that is racing really consistently and it was the right time to try stepping him out to 2000m. We were confident leading into the race.
“Also credit to Jay Ford. It was a nice ride. He kept his cool at the top of the straight when things didn’t go to plan and he was really strong late.
“We will see how he pulls up, but its onwards and upwards.”
With A$677,025 in prizemoney to date and the versatility to race between 1400m and 2000m, there are a host of lucrative prizes for older geldings like Tavi Time.
By the outstanding late sire Tavistock, Tavi Time is out of Group One winning Johar mare Guiseppina, who won the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) for Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie.
Bred and sold by Pencarrow Stud, Tavi Time was initially sold as a yearling for $60,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 Sale to Kiltannon Stables. He was later re-offered at the Sydney Ready To Race Sale where he was purchased by part-owner Adrian Pazman for $130,000. – NZ Racing Desk
