Tivaci 3YO impresses in Taupo debut

Highly rated three-year-old Sought After made the perfect start to his career at Taupo on Friday afternoon.

Raced by breeder Waikato Stud, the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained son of Tivaci rounded off strongly to score over 1200 metres and put an end to a previously frustrating day for the Matamata nursery.

Earlier on the card, another debutante Smart Love had finished a close second while Sethito overcame a chequered run to finish third at the first time of asking.

Their stablemate Sought After made no mistake and came from back in the field with a strong finish to win comfortably by two lengths under Masa Hashizume.

His performance elevated him to the second line of favouritism at $8 for the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

“He’s been thriving and had a trial and went well and came here for a gallop 10 days ago,” Scott said.

“He’s a really confident horse and we thought he would be a winning chance, he’s in really good order and paraded looking a million dollars.”

Sought After is out of the Savabeel mare Popular and the esteemed family of the late multiple Group 1 winner and successful sire Sacred Falls.

Popular produced a brother to Sought After last season and is due to foal to Ocean Park.