Racing: Tantalic revels in mud

Retired Auckland horticulturist Brian Disley met Auckland trainer Alan Biddick at the Karaka yearling sales seven years ago.

They have been close friends ever since.

The pair celebrated their finest moment in racing when Tantalic, trained by Biddick, scored a comfortable win in the group three $60,000 Manawatu Cup (2300m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

Ridden by Robert Hannam, Tantalic began a swooping run from mid-field inside the last 800m and was abreast of the leaders turning for home.

After a brief tussle with Normandy Boy, on whom Hannam had finished second in the New Zealand Cup last month, Tantalic asserted his superiority.

He pulled away to score by a length from fast-finishing Asgoodas, with Normandy Boy weakening late for third.

Disley, 67, had bought the second-last lot at the Karaka yearling sales seven years ago, a horse he raced as Yelsid Junior, successful as a jumper the last two winters.

Disley later bought Tantalic (by Rhythm) at a ready-to-run sale from a Cambridge Stud draft. Disley was surprised he was able to secure Tantalic for just $5000, given the breeding of the horse, whose granddam is champion mare Surround.

"We have since found out that Tantalic nearly died as a foal, was considered too small and had a temperament problem," he said.

"He's still not a big horse by any standards, and we never assumed he would make a two-year-old. He was always going to be a slow maturer."

Tantalic has been a terrific money-spinner from his 32 starts, recording seven wins, two seconds, four thirds and four fourths. His stake earnings have now reached $148,735.

He will now go into the Auckland Cup on January 1 without another run and a track with the sting out of it would be ideal.

- NZPA