By Neil Evans
Just two days after watching the $2 million Kosciuszko feature at Randwick without his star mare It’s Me, trainer Brett Cavanough is gearing up for an immediate hit-back at Monday’s feature Muswellbrook meeting.
It’s Me, a spectacular winner of the 2020 Kosciuszko, had battled a stone bruise in the lead-up to the country-only race.
Jason Collett on It’s Me wins the Kosciuszko at Randwick in 2020.Credit:Getty
Yet after an initial clearance, she was a late withdrawal after a final veterinary inspection deemed her to be lame in the near fore leg.
Scone-based Cavanough quickly declared the decision was the right one, and It’s Me is now very unlikely to start in next Saturday’s Invitation.
But not all was lost in the Kosciuszko climb, with six-year-old stablemate Fender charging home late into third place at big odds.
Back in the Upper Hunter, the Cavanough yard is out to hit the ground running at Muswellbrook with its latest arrival.
Tafika ridden by Linda Meech wins the Coleraine Hotel Maiden Plate at Coleraine last month.Credit:Getty
Progressive four-year-old mare Tafika has her first run for the stable only 24 days after she sailed away to win her maiden at Coleraine in country Victoria when in the Maher-Eustace camp.
A promising daughter of Kiwi staying sire Tavistock, Tafika will be aimed at tougher races over the mile and beyond if she progresses here.
And connections will get an instant gauge tackling a strong Class 1 over 1450m on soft ground.
Provincial mares Prize Draw, coming back in grade fourth-up, and Light Up My World, also down in class second-up are expected to command market support. Another Scone raider renowned backmarker Bridges To Babylon is desperate to add a second career win at his 26th start having been placed a further 10 times.
Meanwhile, in the Maiden Hcp over the flying 900m to open the meeting, Cavanough debuts promising Winning Rupert three-year-old Bonjour Rupert.
Bred for all-round speed being out of an Exceed And Excel mare, Bonjour Rupert has trialled well, and starts his career having recently been gelded.
