Showing his customary early dash, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding made all the running under Jamie Kah to defeat Fine Dane (Danerich) by a half-length with a further half-length back to the favourite William Thomas (Nicconi) who was doing his best work in the closing stages.
"He's pretty much a sit and steer job," Kah said.
"He got away with it quite easily in the front and he is just a lovely animal to ride and he has got plenty of gate speed which helps him."
Co-trainer Mick Price Jnr said they might search for a bit of black-type later in the carnival.
"It worked out well, he got across easy enough and when that's the case he gets away and gives a good kick.
"Mick Price has a good opinion of this horse, he's a Tavistock but he is very, very fast. He went down to the beach for a freshen up and I thought he looked really well in the yard and Jamie Kah is on fire.
"He could go to Moonee Valley in two weeks or maybe keep him fresh for a race later in the carnival.
"It's good for Grant Morgan's Ontrack Thoroughbreds they are in partnership with Phoenix who
Purchased by Ontrack Thoroughbreds for $135,000 out of the Hallmark Stud draft at the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka, Tavisan (pictured as a yearling) advances his record to 4 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $257,767.
He is the fourth foal and only winner to date out of the unraced Volksraad mare Evanescence whose dam Esperance is a half-sister to the great Super Impose.
