Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr unearthed another potential Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) contender by Tavistock on Tuesday when Tiz Magic (NZ) broke maiden ranks over 1400m at Wangaratta at first time of asking.
The Caulfield trainers produced Gunstock (NZ) (Tavistock) for an impressive victory on Sunday at Cranbourne where Bedford Estate (NZ) (Tavistock) finished runner-up, both sons of the late Cambridge Stud stallion, and now Tiz Magic has joined them on a Classic path.
“He’ll head that way for sure, but in saying that he will get better again next season. Maybe a race like the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m at Flemington on October 2) could be his next start,” Kent Jnr said.
Tiz Magic was tardily away from the outside gate and settled at the back of the field before improving near the turn for Damian Lane.
The gelding shouldered out of tight quarters 200m from home and rounded off strongly to score with something in hand.
“It was a terrific first-up effort and I liked the way he attacked the line, he’s a horse that really wants further,” Kent Jnr said.
Tiz Magic was sold through Adrian Stanley and Hannah Kettlety’s Woburn Farm draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale to HBL Racing for $140,000.
The gelding was bred by dairy farmers Andrew Bryant and Dave Armstrong in conjunction with Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan.
He is a brother to the Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) winner Tavidream (NZ) from the family of Tarzino, a dual Group One winner by Tavistock who easily won the 2015 Gr.1 VRC Derby for Price.
“Mick Price has had a lovely affinity with the progeny of Tavistock,” Kent Jnr said.
“He had Tarzino and I think Mick trained Tavistock himself for a couple of starts. We have had a lot of luck with the likes of Tavisan, Tavidance and I think Gunstock is a lovely horse for the spring as well.
“They are a really good breed. They are very genuine and very sound, clean-winded horses. We do like to train them for sure.”
The forthcoming New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale on November 17 and 18 features 7 two-year-olds by Tavistock.
