Tasmania's iron horse Tshahitsi was at his fighting best in Saturday's Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
With Brendon McCoull in the saddle, the 6yo gelding bounced straight to the front and denied all to rum him down.
Dollar For Dollar briefly threatened but he could get no closer than three-quarters of a length with Wyndspelle the same distance back in third. (photo Grant Courtney )
"He's a terrific horse, typical of the Tassie horses that have been over here in recent years, on pace, tough it out and keep going," McCoull said.
"He travelled over here well but took a few days to recover. There are a few options for him at home over the carnival but I'm quietly confident they might want to keep him here."
The son of Clangalang advances his record to 12 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds from 26 starts with earnings of $427,025.
Trained by Chris Crook and Imogen Miller, Tshahitsi earned a third black-type win.
"He's an absolute ripper, he wasn't going to let that other horse get to him, he just sticks his head out and off he goes," Miller said.
"I was a little bit worried early because I thought he was too keen but Brendan got him to relax and got into a nice rhythm.
"we don't have a solid plan in place for him. We did toy with taking him back home to Tassie there are a couple of WFA races coming up. But we will see how he gets through this run and we will make a decision then because there are a few nice races over here for him."
Winner of the Listed Newmarket Handicap at Launceston back in November and the Listed Winter Championship Final at Flemington last July, Tshahitsi is the fourth and final foal of the winning Grand Lodge mare Kita Ryokan who is also the dam of 7-times winner North Lodge (Festival Hall) and the winner Quirribilly Lodge (Matsqui) from the family of 4-time stakes-winner Cafeteria (Lunchtime).
The well-travelled AJC Derby hero Clangalang was purchased by Paul Geard in 2016 to stand at his GG Horse Stud at Broadmarsh.
The 19yo son of Clang is still active, covering 16 mares last season.
Clangalang has three lots entered for the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale on February 16.
