Saturday Double - Talisker Terrific

2 February, 2025

Saturday Double - Talisker Terrific


Reigning South Island Champion Three-Year-Old, Talisker (4 g Embellish – Glenkinchie, by Redoute’s Choice) duly returned to winning form in the $50,000 Platinum Homes Open Handicap 1400 metres at Saturday at New Plymouth.

Last season, Talisker capped a hat-trick of wins by finishing second in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas over 1600m and most recently finished third in the Group 3 Phar Lap Trophy over the same distance on 4 January at Trentham, won by stable-mate My Lips Are Sealed (Ace High).

With  Premiership leading jockey Craig Grylls in the saddle, Talisker was nicely spotted behind a competitive pace, six lengths off the leaders at the 600m. He travelled up beautifully to be in a challenging position turning for home, and had matters well and truly sewn up after quickening to lead inside the 200m. 

Winning as a favourite should, Talisker ran 1400 metres in a slick time of 1:21.0, last 600m in 34.7 (approx.), and paid $2.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was really good to see him return to winning form today and the owners have been super patient with him,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson.

“He was well ridden by Craig (Grylls). We thought he’d be closer in the run, but they were going hard up front and he elected to take a sit off them. So, it was a good, intelligent ride and he’s riding in career best form.

“The progeny of Embellish seems to get better as they get into each season (oldest now four-year-olds) and he looks like he has a big race win in him, this horse.

“It might not be this year, but as a five-year-old, when he’s one-hundred percent mature, I think he could win a major race.”

Owned by the Te Akau Classic Edition Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Talisker was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $70,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Landsdowne Park, and was among the first offerings of Te Akau trained Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas' winner Embellish (Savabeel), whom Ellis also bought as a yearling at Karaka.

“I thought he did a really good job with his first-crop of three-year-olds, Embellish, but now they’ve turned four and filled out their frames a bit more, they’re really starting to hit their straps,” Ellis said.

“He’s a very good young sire that we’ve continued to support and he leaves a lovely type of horse.

“This horse finished second to his stable-mate Trobriand (Kermadec) in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes at just his second start as a two-year-old, so he’s always shown ability, and the way he won there’s certainly more to come.”

Trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson have had more success than any other stable with the progeny of Embellish (Savabeel), preparing seven individual winners of 14 races. 

Standing at Cambridge Stud, Embellish is a sister to Group One winner Diademe. 

Dam Glenkinchie, by Champion Sire and Broodmare Sire Redoute’s Choice, won as a two-year-old over 1000 metres in Australia, while the family includes outstanding galloper Racing To Win (Encosta de Lago), winner of five Group One races, and successful stallion Purrealist (Tale of the Cat). 

Talisker carries a bloodline cross of Epsom Derby winner Sir Ivor, the sire of legendary stallion Sir Tristram. 

Talisker was strapped by Pauline Hautot.


Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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