Taurus provides double satisfaction for trainers

17 April 2015

The Wanganui father and daughter combination had struck earlier in the day with Just A Lover and a number of members of the syndicate that races the promising filly are also involved in her older stablemate.

Taurus (No Excuse Needed) revelled on the Slow 9 track and he powered away with the Puccini Cup from Duffers Creek and Marotiri Miss.

“That was a strong win and they just went too quick for him first-up,” Evan Rayner said.

“I’m thinking of taking Just A Lover to Te Rapa and there’s a mile there for Taurus as well if we go that way.”

Taurus has been a reliable winter performer in recent seasons with all seven of his wins on wet ground.

He also has placings to his credit in the Gr.3 Winter Cup and at Listed level in the Newmarket Handicap, Opunake Cup, Ag Challenge Stakes and the Wanganui Guineas.

“We’ll probably look at the Opunake Cup again, but I don’t think we’ll be going to Riccarton,” Rayner said. “He’s been to the Winter Cup twice and he didn’t travel all that well.”

The Gr.3 Foxbridge Plate later in the winter is another viable option while Rayner said he wouldn’t discount next season’s Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings, provided underfoot conditions were there to suit Taurus. – NZ Racing Desk.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is not the easiest role, that of Chairman of our Thoroughbred Racing Board. Like all chairmanships, one’s mind is rarely not occupied with the responsibility. To our Chairman, I say thanks. A lifetime in the industry, Chairman of our largest club, it is difficult to identify someone more suited to the role.

14 May 2026

Sav’s girl Chispa targeting the Gr.1 Oaks

Savabeel filly Chispa enhanced her Queensland Oaks credentials with a dominant Randwick victory for Chris Waller and James McDonald, with the Pencarrow Stud-bred and raced filly surging clear over 1800 metres in impressive fashion.