Taikomochi, seen here winning the Neville Sellwood S. G3 in March 2019, is Snitzel’s 9th stakeswinner this season. (PHOTO: Sportpix)

Taikomochi caps Snitzel’s big weekend

When Champion Sire Snitzel has a long weekend, he doesn’t laze about in the backyard or on the beach, celebrating Australia Day with a traditional barbecue.  

This year it’s been all about his 96th stakeswinner Scallopini, city winners Sure Knee & Juan Diva and finally, Taikomochi winning the $150,000 ATC Australia Day Cup 2400m LR. 

Those four wins alone have added around $250,000 to Snitzel’s season earnings and elevated him into third spot on the General Sires’ Premiership with $8.1 million. It’s a move that puts him well and truly in the hunt for his fourth consecutive title. 

Who said war horse Taikomochi wouldn’t run 2400 metres? The Listed Australia Day Cup was at his mercy today 💥💥 https://t.co/0z26mbt74a

— Gai Waterhouse (@GaiWaterhouse1) January 27, 2020

Taikomochi put up a gritty staying performance to land his 5th win and second stakes win for the Waterhouse & Bott stable and a group of owners including Kate Waterhouse, Just Fun Racing and G1G Racing & Breeding. 

Bred by Terrann Investments from the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Geisha, Taikomochi was a $180,000 Waterhouse/BBA Ireland buy from the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2015 Inglis Easter Sale. The 6YO gelding has now earned almost $360,000 from 5 wins and six placings in a 22-start career.

Interestingly, Taikomochi is the first of Snitzel’s progeny to win a stakes race beyond the 2040m of Shamus Award’s 2013 Cox Plate. Nine other Snitzel sons and daughters have won in black type company beyond 1600m, including South African Group 1 winner Heavenly Blue and Hong Kong star Sun Jewellery.

Three Snitzel colts will be offered at next month’s Inglis Classic Sale, two of them by Arrowfield and one by Aquis Farm, followed by 9 lots at Inglis Premier and a dazzling draft of 67 Snitzel yearlings catalogued for Inglis Easter.