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.
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