Progressive galloper Talisker (NZ) (Embellish) made a welcome return to the winner’s circle at New Plymouth on Saturday, taking the Platinum Homes (1400m) with a stamp of authority.
Group Two-placed as a juvenile, Talisker spent the first-half of his three-year-old season in the South Island, picking up three wins on the bounce for Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton stable. The son of Embellish was denied by just a half-length to Crocetti in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), but struggled to replicate that form through the summer and headed for the spelling paddock.
Returning in late November, Talisker recorded placings to Matane, Tanganyika and stablemate My Lips Are Sealed so far this campaign, the latter in the Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham. Starting favourite at Taranaki, jockey Craig Grylls allowed a rush of horses to contest the early speed, settling the gelding third-last in a comfortable rhythm.
Front-runners Amend and Ifindoubtgetout held their position to the home turn, but Talisker was travelling sweetly and launched down the outside on straightening, running down the leaders to score ahead of a game Our Jumala.
Mark Walker, who trains Talisker in partnership with Sam Bergerson, was rapt with the result, particularly so for his syndicate, the Te Akau Classic Edition Racing Partnership.
“it was really good to see him return in winning form today and the owners have been super patient with him,” he said.
“He was well ridden by Craig. We thought he’d be closer in the run, but they were going hard up front and he elected to take a sit off them. So, it was a good, intelligent, ride and he’s riding in career best form.
“The progeny of Embellish seem to get better as they get into each season and he looks like he has a big race win in him, this horse. It might not be this year, but as a five-year-old, when he’s one-hundred percent mature, I think he could win a good race.”
A $60,000 purchase by David Ellis at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2022, Talisker has earned over $262,000, with four wins and seven minor placings in 15 starts. He is out of a Redoute’s Choice mare Glenkinchie, who has produced another recent winning son of Embellish in El Arish.
