Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas always have a nice horse for the Adelaide Carnival and Tequila Time has risen to the challenge this year reeling off four consecutive wins since he resumed from a spell on March 24.
A last start winner of the Group III SAJC Breeders Stakes, Tequila Time again proved superior under a perfect ride from Claire Lindo to score a length win in his first attempt at 1400 metres.
Gelded after racing twice last spring for a third and a seventh, Tequila Time has been a changed horse this preparation.
"He was well rated and Claire rode him a treat. He was strong to the finish," said Leon Macdonald.
"He's a lovely horse and he'll go to the paddock now."
A $170,000 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase for his trainers from the Willowgrove Stud draft, Tequila Time was the second highest priced colt sold at that sale and has won four of six starts earning over $144,000 in prizemoney.
He is a three-quarter brother to stakes-winner Inner Warrior and is one of four winners from Encosta de Lago mare El Milagro, a grand-daughter of Group II winner Golden Prayer.
El Milagro has a weanling filly by Shamus Award and was covered by Palentino last spring.
Tequila Time is one of 39 stakes-winners for Stratum, who died in 2016, with his dual Group I winning son Stratum Star now standing in his place at Widden at a fee of $11,000.