Cardiff had made his debut back in November in a small but select four horse
field which saw Tassort announce himself as a top-class contender, before going
for a break and being run down in the final strides of his return in early
February.He took on the Gr.2 Silver Slipper Stakes at his latest run where he couldn't sustain the effort after leading but on Wednesday appreciated some quieter tactics and finished too strongly to beat Garrison (I Am Invincible x Unassailed) and Heart Breaker (I Am Invincible x Belle Couture).
"I suggested if he won today we'd give him a bit of a breather," said trainer Gerald Ryan.
"There's a Group three race and listed race in Brisbane late April, early May. We might aim him towards that."
"I didn't ride him for speed. He came back to me and was strong on the line," said rider Michael Walker.
"He's still green. As long as he does things right, I think he can run a mile."
Cardiff is the fourth foal and third winner for Listed winner Cariad (by Sequalo), a half-sister to South African stakes winner Polished Steel.
He was a $460,000 purchase by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the draft of Arawata Bloodstock, before making $600,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale to the bid of Anthony Freedman Racing when offered by Aquis Farm.
Cariad has had a yearling and weanling by Not A Single Doubt since and was served last year by Invader.
