22 Oct 2023Talisker has continued his flawless path toward the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained representative remained unbeaten during his Classic preparation when he was successful over 1300 metres at Ashburton.
His victory followed wins on the synthetic track at Riccarton and at Timaru and performances that now have him a $12 chance to emulate the deed of his sire, our very own Embellish who claimed the Guineas in 2017.
Under the set weights and penalties conditions of the race, Talisker had to concede up to 4kg to his rivals and he accomplished that with ease.
He was quickly into stride to lead under Sam Weatherley and angled wide into the straight before holding a strong gallop to win by 1.3l.
“For a horse that doesn’t like the soft tracks, that was very impressive I thought,” Te Akau’s David Ellis said.
“It was a really nice win with a view to the 2000 Guineas and Sam Weatherley flew down especially to ride him.”
“It’s exciting to have a horse by Embellish heading toward the Guineas and an advantage that Talisker is by a stallion who won the race and that he’s prepared at the venue.
“We love the progeny of Embellish. They’re coming to the fore now as three-year-olds and we think he has the makings of a very good sire.”
Talisker was purchased by Ellis out of Landsdowne Park’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $70,000.
He is a son of the Redoute’s Choice mare Glenkinchie and her dam is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Racing To Win and to the mother of the two-time Group 2 winner Classique Legend.