Tazima and jockey Grima secured their third consecutive victory in the Precise Air Handicap (1800m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The rapidly developing Tazima has now achieved five wins this season, a significant accomplishment. Trainer Chris Waller believes this latest triumph was his finest performance to date.
“I feel that was close to his best win,” Waller said. “He was up in grade but he won quite easily. “We will keep him going through the winter, he’s thriving, he’s well, and he’s winning with plenty in hand. “He could be a Wyong Cup-type of horse. Those type of races will come around pretty soon and there is an 1800m race at Rosehill or Randwick next month which is going to be his next run to keep him ticking along.”
Tazima, which was strongly supported to $3.90 favouritism, completed a successful treble on the Randwick card for Grima. The gelding surged clear to win by two lengths over Boniface ($5.50), who battled gamely but was ultimately no match for the winner. Sly Boots ($5) finished a distant third.
Grima recounted that her inaugural ride for the Waller stable was aboard Tazima when the gelding saluted on the Kensington track in August of the previous year.
“Tazima was my first winner from my first ride for Chris and that is my fourth win on the horse now,” Grima enthused.
The race didn’t unfold exactly as planned for Grima, as Tazima found himself racing three-wide early, though he had cover.
“I honestly don’t mind the three-wide line today if you can get a bit of cover,” said Grima, who had earlier winners on Perfect Justice and Beneva. “Tazima travelled beautifully for me, he got a lovely cart into the straight and was just too good.”
Grima’s Randwick treble elevates her to 33 city wins for the season, placing her three wins ahead of Braith Nock in the close contest for the Sydney apprentices premiership.
While Grima dominated the riding at Randwick, Reece Jones also had a successful day, booting home two winners in tight finishes.
Jones guided Zouripper to a narrow victory in the Kieran Moore Handicap (1000m) by taking the shortest path home.
This marked the second close but triumphant finish for Jones, following his win in the opener aboard Proxima Dea.
However, similar to Jones’ victory on Proxima Dea, the jockey was uncertain if Zouripper had secured the win in another photo finish that left spectators guessing.
“I didn’t know if we got there, I just put my head down and went for it,” Jones said. “To his credit, Zouripper tried very hard. He got through the heavy pretty well and I’m glad we got there right on the line.”
Zouripper was positioned three pairs back, one off the fence in the early stages. As they approached the turns, Jones had the option to move the sprinter wider into the home straight for his run.
Instead, Jones opted for a strategic switch back towards the inside rail, a decision that proved brilliant and secured the second leg of his Randwick double.
Zouripper ($4.40) managed to snatch victory on the line, narrowly defeating the valiant Petticoat ($3 favourite), with Prima Bella ($3.50) a half-length further back in third.
Trainer Joe Pride was absent from racing on Saturday, but his stable representative Orla Pearl indicated that Zouripper is just beginning his winter campaign.
“This was Zouripper’s third run this time in and he’s going well,” Pearl said. “He ran such a strong race last time we were pretty confident coming here today because he handles these wet tracks.”
Check out the latest Australian betting sites for all the racing action.
