Tasmanian galloper Tshahitsi has provided emerging apprentice Teo Nugent with a late-season double at Caulfield with an all-the-way victory.
After winning aboard Tavirun in the Mypunter.com Handicap, Nugent added Saturday’s Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap to his record.
Not planning on leading throughout, Nugent rated Tshahitsi ($4.40) to perfection running out a one length winner from Travimyfriend ($4.80) with Snitzepeg ($12) 2-3/4 lengths away third.
Nugent headed to Saturday’s program confident he had a good book, but thought Tshahitsi his best ride for the afternoon.
“He was carrying three kilograms less than when he won a Listed race and I thought he was the best horse in the race,” Nugent said.
“I hadn’t planned on leading thinking I’d sit outside the leader, but when he pinged the gates so well I thought I let him use his stride.
“He’s a lovely free-going horse and I didn’t want to be holding him up and letting the others catch me up.”
Tshahitsi has been stabled in Victoria at Balnarring with Kevin Corstens since his first-up run at Flemington on July 6.
Co-trainer Imogen Miller said the gelding enjoyed the beach environment adding that now Tshahitsi was back in winning form, the Group Two PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 17 would come under consideration.
“We’ve got him back in form so that’s a race we could think about,” Miller said.
“He likes the 1400 metres and he likes Caulfield.”
