Tazima and Grima combined for their third win in succession in the Precise Air Handicap (1800m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The promising Tazima has now won five races this season which is no mean feat and trainer Chris Waller felt the gelding’s latest win was his best effort so far
“I feel that was close to his best win,” Waller said. “He was up in grade but he won quite easily.
“We will keep him going through the winter, he’s thriving, he’s well, and he’s winning with plenty in hand.
“He could be a Wyong Cup-type of horse. Those type of races will come around pretty soon and there is an 1800m race at Rosehill or Randwick next month which is going to be his next run to keep him ticking along.”
Tazima, confidently backed into $3.90 favouritism, completed a winning treble on the Randwick program for Grima as accelerated clear to win by two lengths from Boniface ($5.50) who chased the winner hard all the way but was safely held on the line. Sly Boots ($5) was more than three lengths away third.
Grima revealed the first ride she ever had for the Waller stable was on Tazima when the gelding won on the Kensington track in August last year.
“Tazima was my first winner from my first ride for Chris and that is my fourth win on the horse now,” Grima enthused.
It didn’t all go to plan for Grima as Tazima was trapped three wide early albeit with cover.
“I honestly don’t mind the three-wide line today if you can get a bit of cover,” said Grima, who won earlier on Perfect Justice and Beneva.
“Tazima travelled beautifully for me, he got a lovely cart into the straight and was just too good.”
Grima’s Randwick treble takes her to 33 city wins for the season and she has moved three wins clear of Braith Nock in their duel for the coveted Sydney apprentices premiership.
Although Grima took riding honours at Randwick, Reece Jones celebrated with a brace in close finishes.
Jones found the shortest way home on Zouripper to score narrowly in the Kieran Moore Handicap (1000m).
This was the second tight but successful finish for Jones after he won the opener on Proxima Dea.
But just like Jones’ win on Proxima Dea, the jockey was unsure if Zouripper had won in another finish that had everyone guessing.
“I didn’t know if we got there, I just put my head down and went for it,” Jones said.
“To his credit, Zouripper tried very hard. He got through the heavy pretty well and I’m glad we got there right on the line.”
Zouripper settled three pairs back, one off the fence early and coming to the turns Jones could easily have manoeuvered the sprinter out towards the centre of the home straight to make his finishing run.
Instead, Jones made a tactical decision to switch back to near the inside rail and it was a masterstroke, providing the jockey with the second leg of his Randwick double.
Zouripper ($4.40) arrived in time to edge out the brave Petticoat ($3 favourite) with Prima Bella ($3.50) a half length away third.
Trainer Joe Pride had a rare Saturday off racing but stable representative Orla Pearl said Zouripper is only just getting started this winter.
“This was Zouripper’s third run this time in and he’s going well,” Pearl said.
“He ran such a strong race last time we were pretty confident coming here today because he handles these wet tracks.”
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