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.
Recent News

21 June 2025
So Long Farewell joins the Super Seth show
So Long Farewell became Super Seth’s 39th first-crop winner with an effortless 2.75 length win at Kembla, carrying 59kg and continuing the momentum of his sire’s outstanding early success.
Read More
21 June 2025
Ardrossan sires Trans-Tasman Saturday double
Sons of Ardrossan impressed on both sides of the Tasman, with Pacifico going back-to-back at Tauranga and Taken extending his winning streak to four with another bold performance at Flemington.
Read More