Track specialist Tawteen has landed another Moonee Valley victory in the City Jeep Handicap on Cox Plate day.
The speedy mare notched her fifth win from eight starts at the track in Saturday’s 955m sprint, fighting off favourite Diamond Oasis after sitting outside him.
Tawteen
“She really does love it here,” co-trainer David Hayes said.
Tawteen had been racing over 1200m this preparation and also started over 1400m two starts ago but Hayes decided to keep the mare “mad fresh” for the drop in distance.
“We kept her very, very fresh and with that sort of base fitness she was able to hang on in a high-pressure race,” Hayes said.
Tawteen ($4.20) defeated Diamond Oasis ($3.50) by a short neck with a neck to Vatican third.
Stephen Baster has ridden Tawteen to all seven of her career wins in the mare’s 16-start career.
Tawteen will head to a Group Three 1100m sprint for mares at Flemington on November 5, while her autumn campaign could include an Oakleigh Plate tilt and a trip to Dubai before she is retired to stud.
“Sheikh Hamdan doesn’t like racing his fillies too long, and she’s a Group winner,” Hayes said.
“There’s a chance she’ll go to stud after Easter so it will be a decision on whether we train her for races like The Galaxy or go to Dubai.”
