Tazima primed for Waller's Premier's Cup Prelude challenge
Connections of the in-form stayer Tazima are hopeful their patience will be rewarded as the horse contests a fourth successive win at Randwick.
The gelding has been deliberately kept fresh since achieving his third consecutive victory on July 11, with trainer Chris Waller confirming they had targeted Saturday's Premier's Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick as an ideal race.
"He's at the end of his 'prep', but he's four weeks between runs, and we've had this race in mind," Waller explained.
"He has won with authority at his last couple, and he's pretty versatile on all tracks.
"The 1800 metre distance is just perfect so no excuses. He should be very hard to beat."
Bookmakers are aligned with this assessment, installing Tazima as the $1.95 favourite, with OTI Racing's Boniface ($3.30) the next in line, having finished second to the favourite in his past two starts.
While apprentice Siena Grima has been aboard Tazima for his last three wins, James McDonald takes the reins this weekend, with Grima set to ride stablemate Matusalem ($7) against him.
Matusalem's last start saw him finish with a flourish when sixth in the Winter Stakes (1400m) last month, a performance that caught Waller's attention.
"Matusalem's first-up run was great. He had a trial last week so he's ready for 1800 second-up," he said.
"Tazima is the top seed, clearly, and unfortunately that's why Siena isn't riding him. James (McDonald) is our top seed. She's got a great record with the horse, and she still gets a ride in the race."
Elliptical ($17) and Unlimited ($26) complete Waller's contingent for the Premier's Cup Prelude, with the trainer expecting the former to perform better on a drier surface, while Unlimited faces a tough task from an outside draw.
This race also marks the return of Sam Hawkens ($13), a former stayer prepared by William Haggas.
The gelding did not reach expectations in three starts for John O'Shea and Tom Charlton earlier this year, but impressed winning a recent trial and is considered a strong improver in his second full Australian campaign.
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