6 Oct 2023Talisker remained unbeaten this preparation when he produced a brave run to beat the older horses over 1200 metres at Timaru.
Confidently ridden by Warren Kennedy, the promising son of Embellish began swiftly to lead and stayed on strongly to have a length and a-half on his closest chaser.
“He had to do it tough when working forward from a wide draw (11) and then got taken on badly in front, so I thought it was a really good effort to shake off an older horse and win in the manner he did,” co-trainer Mark Walker said.
“I was impressed by the way he did a lot of work and then kicked again, which shows he’s a promising three-year-old.
“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.”
A $70,000 Karaka purchase for Te Akau’s David Ellis out of Landsdowne Park’s draft, he holds an upcoming Group 1 nomination.
“He’s down there (Riccarton) with the aim of getting to the 2000 Guineas, and he couldn’t have made a better start in his campaign,” Ellis said.
“He’s won a couple over 1200 metres, but looks like he’ll appreciate stepping to 1400 metres and then the mile.
“It’s exciting to have a horse by Embellish heading towards the Guineas and an advantage that Talisker is by a stallion who won the race.
“We’ve been taken with the young stock of Embellish. He’s left some really nice types of horses and he’s doing a good job.”