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.

Foxbridge Plate Day Delivers at Te Rapa

As host and naming sponsor of the meeting, Waikato Stud was proud to see its signature raceday, headlined by the Group 2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate, run in fine style at Te Rapa on Saturday.

21 August 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Mary and I had a great weekend. As usual, Taupo Race Club put on a couple of days that encourage you to go to the races. The lead-in to the day was an hour or so at the iconic Yacht Club Bar – an easy place to be, perched above the lake: wine, beer and pizzas provided. A chance to meet and greet, bearing in mind the visitors that make the effort to attend.