Curraghmore graduate Taroni (Showcasing x Alagant Satin) secured her spot in next month’s Karaka Million with a win in the Stella Artois 2YO (1100m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
It was the second start for the daughter of Showcasing who was relegated to second on debut in November for causing interference.
This time nothing was left open for dispute with the two-year-old filly racing in fourth spot before hitting the front 200 metres from home. She then let down nicely to win in effortless fashion by 2.3L.
“I could hear cheering from above,” jockey Leith Innes said. “She shouldn’t have lost the race last time, but it is what it is. It’s a special win, just great.”
Bred by Nearco Stud, Taroni was purchased out of Curraghmore’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft for $90,000.
She was part of a winning double at Ellerslie for Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay who also race the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) winner Pretty To Sea.
It was a much needed tonic as the Lindsay’s had the misfortune to lose their outstanding stallion Tavistock during the week which cast a pall across the entire stud before personal tragedy struck overnight with the sudden passing of Brendan Lindsay’s sister, Sonya Harper.
“It’s very special for a lot of different reasons,” trainer Lance Noble said. “This filly has just kept improving and it’s a very rewarding win.”
“We don’t need to do too much with her now she’s qualified. I don’t think she’ll have another run before the Karaka Million.
“She’s a pretty straight forward filly and that’s what Showcasing puts into them and why he has so many 2-year-old winners. She just eats and sleep and does her job.”
Taroni is one of three potential runners to represent Curraghmore in the Karaka Million. Unbeaten colt Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt x Chintz) currently sits at the top of the order of entry while the stakes placed Amor Fati (Showcasing x Musigny) also looks likely to gain a start.
Meanwhile Rover (Fastnet Rock x Gypsy Princess) followed up his debut win with a credible runner-up performance at Randwick.
Patience seems to have been key with the four-year-old gelding who looks like a promising prospect for the future.
In Hong Kong Winning Method (Holy Roman Emperor x Out of Egypt) picked up his third career win taking out the Kap Shui Mun Handicap (1200m).
The three-year-old gelding has been a model of consistency running in the money in five of his eight starts for trainer Charlie Shum since being purchased out of Curraghmore’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock draft.
