Tai continues family’s golden run

[Wandering Eyes]

Six-year-old gelding Tai has been a work-in-progress for breeder-owner-trainer Joanne Moss, and she was rewarded with her patience with a maiden win at New Plymouth on Saturday.

The half-brother to Moss’ Group Three winner Doctor Askar was just having his second raceday start, and first since making his debut at the Taranaki track two years ago.

After dislodging local apprentice Elle Sole in the prelim, Tai took his place in barrier seven and pressed forward to settle just behind the speed. Sole asked him to improve from the 600m, and they had just Madam Pele before them as they entered the straight.

The son of The Bold One lapped up the heavy conditions and was able to reel in the pacemaker and ran out a 1-1/4 length victor over race favourite Autumn Beauty.

While injury was the instigator for Tai’s long layoff, it was a lack of time which led to his lengthy period on the sidelines, and Moss was glad to get him back to the races on Tuesday and get the win.

“He did have an injury initially, he recovered well and then he came back into work last year,” Moss said. “We just got busy with calving and cows, and when we get busy, they get put out.

“It was great to see him win yesterday, he had been working well.”

Moss doesn’t have any firm plans with Tai, but said he will thrive over the winter months.

“We will just cruise along and hopefully the rain stays around because he is a one-paced horse that grinds away,” she said.

Tai’s victory continues a pleasing run of results for his dam Petipas Delight, with his Derryn half-brother Doctor Askar winning five consecutive races this year, including the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) and Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m).

The four-year-old is back in work after a break, but Moss has yet to lockdown any immediate plans with the talented gelding.

“He is back in work and is very full of himself,” Moss said. “We are just cruising along with him and we’ll see how he comes up before making a plan.

“He is rated 91 now, so he will have to step up a bit.”

Petipas Delight also has a rising three-year-old filly by Shocking Moss is looking forward to progressing, and the 20-year-old mare is set for an early service to Grangewilliam Stud’s Derryn or The Bold One after missing to Mr Mozart last year.

“She (Petipas Delight) is getting on now. We have got a Shocking filly out of her, so we will see how she goes,” Moss said.

“She missed (last season), so that was a bit unfortunate, and we will probably have to go Derryn, but then there’s The Bold One as well.”

Doctor Askar’s success may also lead to his Zed half-sister Giszelles Delight heading to the breeding barn for the first time this spring. “He has an older sister, so she might be pulled out of the paddock and go to something,” Moss said.

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