Tazima and jockey Grima secured their third win on the trot in the Precise Air Handicap (1800m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The exciting prospect Tazima has now won five races this season, a remarkable feat. Trainer Chris Waller suggested that the gelding’s latest victory was his best performance yet.
“I feel that was close to his best win,” Waller said. “He was up in grade but he won quite easily. “We will keep him going through the winter, he’s thriving, he’s well, and he’s winning with plenty in hand. “He could be a Wyong Cup-type of horse. Those type of races will come around pretty soon and there is an 1800m race at Rosehill or Randwick next month which is going to be his next run to keep him ticking along.”
Tazima, strongly supported into $3.90 favourite status, completed a winning treble on the Randwick program for Grima. He surged clear to win by two lengths from Boniface ($5.50), who pursued the winner closely but was ultimately soundly beaten. Sly Boots ($5) trailed over three lengths behind in third.
Grima revealed that her initial ride for the Waller stable was on Tazima when the gelding triumphed on the Kensington track in August last year.
“Tazima was my first winner from my first ride for Chris and that is my fourth win on the horse now,” Grima enthused.
The race didn’t unfold entirely according to plan for Grima, as Tazima was caught three-wide early, though with cover.
“I honestly don’t mind the three-wide line today if you can get a bit of cover,” said Grima, who also celebrated wins on Perfect Justice and Beneva. “Tazima travelled beautifully for me, he got a lovely cart into the straight and was just too good.”
Grima’s Randwick treble brings her season total to 33 city wins, and she has now moved three wins clear of Braith Nock in their pursuit of the Sydney apprentices premiership.
While Grima dominated the riding at Randwick, Reece Jones also celebrated success with a pair of victories in tight finishes.
Jones piloted Zouripper to a narrow win in the Kieran Moore Handicap (1000m) by taking the most direct route.
This marked the second close, successful finish for Jones, following his win aboard Proxima Dea in the opening race.
However, similar to Jones’ win on Proxima Dea, the jockey was uncertain if Zouripper had secured the win in another photo finish that had everyone guessing.
“I didn’t know if we got there, I just put my head down and went for it,” Jones said. “To his credit, Zouripper tried very hard. He got through the heavy pretty well and I’m glad we got there right on the line.”
Zouripper was positioned three pairs back, one off the fence early. As they approached the turns, Jones had the option to steer the sprinter out towards the centre of the home straight to execute his finishing run.
Instead, Jones executed a tactical manoeuvre, switching back towards the inside rail, which proved to be a masterstroke, securing the jockey the second leg of his Randwick double.
Zouripper ($4.40) arrived just in time to defeat the determined Petticoat ($3 favourite), with Prima Bella ($3.50) finishing a half-length behind in third.
Trainer Joe Pride was enjoying a rare Saturday off from racing, but his stable representative Orla Pearl commented that Zouripper is only just commencing his winter campaign.
“This was Zouripper’s third run this time in and he’s going well,” Pearl said. “He ran such a strong race last time we were pretty confident coming here today because he handles these wet tracks.”
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