With half of the acceptors scratched, just six went to the post for Saturday's Group III Neville Selwood Stakes (2000m) on a heavy 10 at Rosehill Gardens and it proved the perfect spot for Taikomochi to open his stakes account.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding was taken straight to the front by Sam Clipperton and refused to yield when tackled by Libran (IRE) to win by a short-neck with one and a quarter lengths back to Goathland in third. (images Steve Hart )
Runner-up in the Listed Canberra Cup at his most recent start, the 5yo son of champion stallion Snitzel advances his record to 4 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 13 starts with earnings of $204275.
"He's a very fit horse and that's what you need today on this testing track," Bott said.
"I thought going into Canberra he was open to plenty of improvement, the form coming out of the race has stood up well. We thought coming here today he was in with a live chance as an improver.
"Sam was able to rate him beautifully and that may have been the difference in the end. He was beautiful and relaxed, got some lovely sectionals throughout. He was able to quicken when he needs to and that was probably the difference in the end for us".
Taikomochi was purchased by G Waterhouse / BBA Ireland for $180,000 from the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2015 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
A half-brother to the stakes-placed Mineko (Fastnet Rock), Taikomochi is the best of five winners from seven to race out of the unraced Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) mare Geisha who is a half-sister to the Group III winner Yes Boss and Listed winner Laguna Lake.
Geisha has a 2yo filly by I Am Invincible who was a $160,000 purchase by Shane Nichols Racing at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and a yearling filly by Written Tycoon.
After missing to Zoustar in 2017, Geisha was one of 262 mares to visit Rubick last spring.
Taikomochi becomes the 89th stakes-winner for Snitzel who looks headed for his third consecutive sire title.
