Gritty performer Taurus booked his ticket to Taranaki and the rich Listed Waikato Stud Opunake Cup in a fortnight when he overcame a small but handy field in the Midwest Disposals Handicap (1400) at Awapuni yesterday.
Given a brief freshen up after finishing in the placings in stakes company at his last three starts, Taurus was on trial for a trip to New Plymouth for his third attempt at the Opunake Cup; a Listed event where he finished sixth last year after being narrowly beaten in 2013.
Rider Jonathan Riddell had the rising 7-year-old gelding stalking the speed in the early stages of yesterday's contest before taking over out wide as the field of six swung for home.
Despite being a sitting duck for his rivals to gun down, Taurus found plenty to hold out the challenges of Marotiri Miss and Authentic Paddy to record a comprehensive three length victory.
The win was the 8th of the gelding's 44 start career and nudged his earnings over the $200,000 mark, much to the delight of co-trainer JJ Rayner.
"He is such an honest horse and always gives his best when he lines up," she said.
"We have always had the Opunake Cup as his main target so after he ran second to Julinsky Prince we gave him some time off to freshen up before that task.
"Today's race was perfect at 1400 metres as he would have been vulnerable at a mile given there is still plenty of improvement in him."
- NZ Racing Desk