Tannhauser earns G1 shot
Improving colt Tannhauser will be given the chance to attempt a feat achieved by Prince Fawaz and The Autumn Sun after securing a berth in the JJ Atkins Stakes with a stylish victory at Randwick.
Tannhauser finished strongly from back in the field to capture Saturday’s Wilson Asset Management Handicap (1400m), the same race both Prince Fawaz (2019) and The Autumn Sun (2018) claimed on the way winning Brisbane’s two-year-old showpiece.
The Randwick assignment was Tannhauser’s first run since April with trainer Chris Waller opting to freshen him up for a Queensland campaign after scratching him from the Champagne Stakes in the autumn due to a wet track.
“We knew he wouldn’t enjoy the heavy track in the Champagne (Stakes) and the connections already had the favourite, Militarize, so we decided to ease back with Tannhauser and go to Brisbane,” Waller’s assistant Charlie Duckworth said.
“The plan is coming to fruition now.
“With the blinkers on, he has gone to a new level today.
“We felt he was way over the odds today and he has justified that thought.”
Ridden patiently by Jay Ford, Tannhauser ($12) was allowed to find his feet early and once balanced in the straight, he finished hard down the outside to claim debutante Unique Ambition ($101) by a short neck with Vomo Island ($3.70 betr fav) another 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Waller has now produced 16 two-year-old winners this season, highlighted by his clean sweep of the Sydney two-year-old triple crown, and is set to have a strong hand in the J J Atkins with Tannhauser to join stablemates Chrysaor and Armed Forces in the race.
Ford has no doubt the Dundeel colt is still improving and won’t be out of his depth in next month’s 1600m feature.
“Obviously being by Dundeel he’ll appreciate further, and I think stepping up in grade and going to where he’s going, the J J Atkins, is going to get the best out of him,” Ford said.
“Racing a little bit better opposition is going to force him to focus a bit more and I think he’s on an upward trend.”
More Racing News
Back-to-back South Australian Derby success for trainer Phillip Stokes
Phillip Stokes, the dual state trainer, has secured the South Australian Derby at Morphettville for the second year running with an unexpected long-priced runner.Wigmore, in his second race for Stokes following Femminile's $19 upset last season, powered home at $41 in Saturday's 2518m three-year-old Classic.Jockey Teo Nugent notched his second...
Golden Mile victory delivers redemption for Von Hauke
The Golden Mile from last year ranks among the races trainer Cliff Brown wishes to forget in Von Hauke's resume, and briefly on Saturday, he anticipated the 2026 renewal might end up similarly archived.Yet, differing from the prior occasion where the consistently hard-luck gelding was blocked for most of the...
Victorian mare Splash Back shines in Eagle Farm Victory Stakes
Splash Back, the Victorian mare, has her sights set on the Group One Tattersall's Tiara after overshadowing a host of top sprinters to claim victory in the Victory Stakes held at Eagle Farm.Having won the Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley in springtime, Splash Back at $8.50 had settled midfield to...
Bendigo Guineas provides Jordan Childs with latest feature score
While it lacked the $1 million Group 1 status, Jordan Childs relished continuing his hot streak from last weekend by securing a further feature success at Bendigo this Saturday.The sharp jockey captured the initial Black Type race on Bendigo's Golden Mile program by joining forces with filly Gold Coast Belle,...
Snowden's Hawkesbury dominance grows via Zealously Gold Rush success
The trainer Peter Snowden maintains his exceptional bond with the standalone Hawkesbury race day, notching the Gold Rush to his collection of standout wins through the capable speedster Zealously.From the program's early days, Snowden has been a regular and boasts seven successes in the Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) plus five in...
Hawkesbury Gold Cup goes to Churchill's Choice
Nathan Doyle, the trainer, felt both thrill and ease after his charge Churchill's Choice triumphed close to the extreme outside barrier."She has been a frustrating mare as she's always had the ability but hasn't won one of these stakes races,'' Doyle said."But she's got that good win now and I'm...
Rural star Chidiac triumphs in Hawkesbury Crown
The Country Championships Final champion Chidiac has adeptly stepped up to stakes level, securing a determined narrow victory in the Group Three Hawkesbury Crown.This feat gifted young rider Braith Nock his 300th professional success and an initial double on the isolated card after prevailing on Bella Khadijah in the Midway...
Hawkesbury Guineas romp catapults Skyhook into Stradbroke Handicap picture
The classy Skyhook demonstrated his superiority and thrust himself into Stradbroke Handicap contention with an impressive lead-all-the-way triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) at Hawkesbury.Jockey Josh Parr flawlessly implemented the tactics set by trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, as the striking chestnut controlled the race wire-to-wire...
Golden Straand triumphs once more, set for stakes challenge
Exciting short-course runner Golden Straand has extended his hot streak, positioning himself firmly for a stakes-grade test after a commanding performance at Hawkesbury this Saturday.Positioned midfield early on, Nash Rawiller swung the turn sharply and the robust four-year-old entire accelerated strongly to dominate the Blakes Marine Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).Matthew...
Debut win for Marffiano in Bendigo's VOBIS Gold Rush
On Saturday, Lindsay Park extended their control over Bendigo's Golden Mile richest race as the Hayes brothers fielded the talented Marffiano to capture the VOBIS Gold Rush.Marffiano, half-brother to Tycoon Star, sealed a Lindsay Park one-two by overcoming Resonant in the $250,000 two-year-old feature, which also includes $30,000 VOBIS bonuses.Ben,...