Tavs primed for Doomben Group test

By Glenn Davis

Progressive sprinter Tavs will be out to prove he’s the real deal when the gelding bids to maintain his unbeaten record this campaign in the George Moore Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.

The dual Listed-winner makes a further step up in grade to Group 3 level in the 1200 metre feature with connections hopeful his journey can continue to Magic Millions day at the Gold Coast next month and beyond.

“His main aim is The Buffering and if he can win that he’ll win a wildcard into the Magic Millions Cup,” trainer Mark Currie said.

Currie won The Buffering with his best horse Soxagon in 2021 before falling short by a whisker when second to the Gregory Hickman-trained Eleven Eleven in the Magic Millions Cup over 1400 metres soon after.

“Tavs is very good, but he’s got a bit to go yet to be as good as Soxagon who has been the best horse I’ve trained so far,” Currie said.

Tavs has won five times for Currie since transferring from Warwick Farm trainer Richard Litt and is one of 32 horses in work at his new Sunshine Coast stable.

Currie also has 40 horses in work at Toowoomba before deciding to expand his operations.

A son of Dundeel, Tavs produced a sensational performance setting a new track record to win first-up in the Listed Weetwood at Toowoomba in September.

He then proved his Weetwood triumph was no fluke with an eye-catching win in the Listed Members Cup at Eagle Farm on October 11.

“He had a let up after his Eagle Farm win and had about 10 days out in the paddock,” Currie said.

“He’s had a trial and is coming along well so he should be competitive.”

Currie appears to have found the key to Tavs since taking over his training just over a year ago.

Tavs first showed he was above average when a close up fourth to subsequent Group 1 Toorak Handicap champion Transatlantic in the Listed Spear Chief at Eagle Farm during the winter carnival in Queensland.

Tavs will take on the might of the Tony Gollan stable on Saturday and Currie knows it won’t be easy.

“Tony’s always hard to beat in any race but my bloke is not fully wound up and there’s more petrol in the tank for later on,” Currie said.

Gollan has been a dominant player by winning the summer feature a record seven-times including the past four in succession.

The champion trainer will be represented by his highly talented sprinter Hidden Wealth who won the Swiss Ace Plate at the Sunshine Coast last start along with Nettuno and Pereille.

However, Currie remains hopeful Tavs can bring Gollan’s golden run to an end in the George Moore Stakes.