Winner: Talisker Terrific

Off the scene since November, Talisker (5 g Embellish – Glenkinchie, by Redoute’s Choice) resumed with a terrific victory in the $40,000 Allied Security Open Handicap 1400 metres on Saturday at Te Rapa. 

South Island Champion Three-Year-Old, after recording a hat-trick of wins and finishing second in the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m), Talisker only had two starts in a spring campaign before being sidelined by injury, and recently ran home fine over a sprint trip on (Heavy10) footing too testing for him when trialling on 16 April at Tauranga.

Beginning smartly from barrier eight for Champion Jockey Craig Grylls, Talisker positioned second behind noted front runner Leroy Brown before jogging up to challenge inside the 200m and he found plenty for a very good first-up win.

“He’s sprung the lids and sat just off Leroy Brown, but he travelled well throughout and I was a little bit mindful of not getting there too soon,” Grylls said. “I have ridden him in the past when he’s got there (front) and sort of pulled up, but while he might have done it a touch late, he had enough of a break on them today.

“I idled up to the leader and just tried to nurse him until well past the 200m, but he felt great after time off and he’d had a trial coming into this, plus he’s got a really good fresh-up record and he’s shown that again.”

Talisker had previously placed in all three starts on course at Te Rapa, including a second to stable-mate Trobriand (Kermadec) in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at just his second start as a two-year-old, and now has five wins and been Group One placed to 1600 metres.

On course, Sam Bergerson, training partner with Mark Walker, said: “He’s had a few setbacks and been off the scene, but great to see him come back like that and he’s a talented horse. 

“It was a positive ride by Gryllsy, I thought he’d be a bit wanting late, but fair play to the horse, he stuck his neck out and really tried hard. 

“We’re very thankful to the owners for their patience. He’d shown a lot of talent as a two and three-year-old, and now as an older horse as well. 

“He’s put away a good field, might be running out of time this season for good tracks, but fingers crossed we can carry on."

Walker added: “It was terrific to see him back in the winners’ circle after a few setbacks, but we never lost faith in the horse and hopefully with the win under his belt he’ll gain the confidence needed to go with it.

“The owners have had a frustrating run with him over the previous twelve months, but they’ve remained patient and the horse has never lost his ability.”

On Soft5 footing, Talisker ran 1400 metres in 1:22.3, last 600m in 34.7 (approx.), and drifted in betting to pay $10.80 & $3.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

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 among the first offerings of Te Akau trained Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Embellish (Savabeel), whom Ellis also bought as a yearling at Karaka.

Accepting on behalf of the owners, Ellis said: “He’s always been a good horse Talisker, and noteworthy, too, because he was the first yearling by Embellish to be sold at Karaka and we were thrilled to buy him.

“Congratulations to the owners for staying patient with him, and also to Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) for the structure and amalgamation of the three clubs including Cambridge Jockey Club and Waipa Racing Club, which is very exciting.

“It’s a great day of racing, the track is a credit to everyone involved, we had our 14th two-year-old winner (System Of Play) in the previous race and now this horse, and they both need good footing, so we’re very happy.

“We have one of his owners with us, Deane Lowcay, the equine manager at Te Akau Stud, and it’s a thrill to win another race for him and his partner Julie, and it’s also great to have Grace Costello here, who came up from the South Island to join the team, she’s now working with the horses at Te Akau Stud too.

“We’re still busy on the farm showing people the yearlings we bought earlier this year. We’ve still got some shares in some beautiful horses and I invite everyone to get in touch and come out and have a look, you’ll be made to feel most welcome.

“We’re racing for very good prize money now in New Zealand, and after setting a record with $9.2 million in stakes last season, Te Akau is again in front with over $7.5 million so far this season.”

While seven-time winner Bold Soul, who included a Group Three win, is the most for Embellish, Talisker is equal third with stable-mate and stakes' winner What You Wish For, both on five wins. 

His dam Glenkinchie, by Champion Sire and Champion Broodmare Sire Redoute’s Choice (Danehill), won as a two-year-old over 1000 metres in Australia, and has now left three winners of 10 races, the family includes outstanding galloper Racing To Win (Encosta de Lago), the 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 Kohen Collett. 

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz