The Arna Donnelly-trained Taipo continued his impressive run of form at Alexandra Park on Friday when winning the United Cleaning Services Mobile Pace (1609m).
It bolstered the four-year-old gelding’s career tally to two wins and three placings from six starts and Donnelly was rapt with the manner in which he won on Friday.
The son of American Ideal was asked to do a fair bit of work in the early stages of the race, pushed forward three wide by driver Todd Mitchell to eventually wrestle the lead off Nevada at the bell.
The pair didn’t relinquish their advantage, with Taipo running away to a 1-3/4 length victory and recording a blistering 1:53.7 mile-rate.
“It was a great drive and he got a great run through. He really stepped up,” Donnelly said.
“It was an amazing time he ran and he seemed to do it pretty good too, so that was pleasing.
“I always thought he was a nice horse but you never think they are going to run that quick. It was a little bit of a surprise but that is always good.”
Taipo has shown Donnelly a fair bit of ability from early on, but she said it is great to see him realising his potential against quality fields.
“He was a maiden for three starts and learnt his trade a little bit and got the hang of it all,” Donnelly said.
“He has never gone a bad race, he is always thereabouts. He went super last week when he ran home in about 55.
“He is just getting better every time and the racing is doing him the world of good.”
Taipo is the half-brother to Group One performer Te Kawau and Donnelly is hoping he is heading in the same direction.
“He is not 100 percent screwed down yet so hopefully there is a bit more improvement left in him yet,” she said.
“I would like to think he will make his way up the grades and be competitive in some of the four-year-old races early next year.” – Cambridge Raceway
