English import Tatsumaki makes winning return more than 1200 days after his last race start

Unbeaten in England, Tatsumaki had not raced for more than 1200 days but turned on a strong display of speed at his first run since October 2021 before holding on to score by a head.

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Hayes said the Lindsay Park vets deserved the praise for getting Tatsumaki back to the racetrack after long-term leg injuries.

“Credit to our vet department back at Euroa. They’ve managed him very closely. We’ve built him up, tipped him out, pulled him back in, and been very patient with him, and we’ve reaped the benefits of that.”

Hayes said it “would be a pretty interesting discussion on Monday” when the stable works out it next move with Tatsumaki.

THOMPSON BANKS ON PERFECT START

A tough week ended in bright fashion after Bankers Choice prevailed in the DEC Handicap (2400m).

Australian racing farewelled Bankers’ Choice’s late co-trainer Mike Moroney in a memorial service at Flemington on Tuesday.

The honest gelding raced handy to the speed before defying Speycaster and Mostly Cloudy to score by three-quarters of a length.

Moroney’s great mate and longtime racing manager Anthony Feroce said Bankers Choice gave Glen Thompson the perfect start to life as a solo trainer.

“It’ll be great for him. He’s a trainer on his own right now, so it’s a great start,” Feroce said.

Feroce added a race like the Warrnambool Cup in late April would suit Bankers Choice given the gelding likes rain-affected tracks.

SPELL FOR SAMANGU

Samangu has gone to the paddock a winner after a gusty effort at Caulfield on Saturday.

The smart Grahame Begg-trained mare, who has won five of six stats this campaign, will get a well-earned break to prepare for the spring and beyond.

Samangu, ridden by Jordan Childs, worked through a flat spot at the top of the straight to win from the fast-finishing Roll On High and plucky early leader She Dances.

“I don’t know if she was one hundred per cent happy, cluttered up amongst them a little bit, she had her head to the side,” Begg said.

“But we’ve been waiting a long time to get somebody to give her a cart into the race because all of her runs, outside of her maiden win, she’s been too fast for them … in the lead.

“She’s a bloody good mare and I’ll tell you what, winners win.”

Originally published as English import Tatsumaki makes winning return more than 1200 days after his last race start