Step up in distance proves no barrier as Tavi Time claims his biggest career win in the Group 3 Summer Cup at Randwick

A perfectly timed ride by Jay Ford has seen the Kris Lees-trained Tavi Time grab victory right on the line in the Group 3 Summer Cup before a bumper crowd at Randwick.

Tavi Time, pictured winning at Newcastle, claimed a nose win in the Summer Cup at Randwick. Picture: Bradley Photos

Tavi Time ran down Osipenko in a thrilling finish to the Group 3 $250,000 Summer Cup (2000m) before a bumper Boxing Day crowd at Royal Randwick.

More than 21,000 racegoers were at Randwick – the second biggest crowd at Randwick this year behind the sold-out The Everest when 49,117 were on track – and they had plenty to cheer for as well-backed duo Tavi Time and Osipenko broke clear of the chasing pack to fight out the finish.

Both horses crossed the line together, it was so tight even ace racecaller Darren Flindell said it was too close to call before the judge declared the Kris Lees-trained Tavi Time, ridden by Jay Ford, got his head down right on the line to win Thursday’s big race.

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Tavi Time ($4.80) edged out Osipenko ($9 into $6) to win by a nose with favourite Townsend ($3.80) nearly three lengths away third.

Lees wasn’t on track for Tavi Time’s career-best win but stable representative Danny Greer said it is “onwards and upwards” for the lightly-raced but promising five-year-old after his Summer Cup success.

“Tavi Time has been racing really consistently and this was his first time at 2000m,” Greer said.

“But we were confident he would run the trip, it was a nice ride and the horse was strong late.”

Osipenko looked likely to give trainer Chris Waller a fourth Summer Cup win when he raced clear at the 200m but Tavi Time came off that horse’s back and collared the leader right on the line.

Townsend had to do a bit of work early to eventually cross and take up the front-running role but this left him vulnerable from the top of the straight although he held on well for third.

What a tight finish in the Summer Cup!

Tavi Time gets the nose in front of Osipenko and wins it! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/J1bSfRwtqh

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 26, 2024

Lion’s Roar, the defending Summer Cup champion, was having the final start of his career and after racing in a forward position early, he faded from the turn and ran second last with only Rustic Steel, a stablemate of the winner, behind him.

Earlier on the program, the Peter Snowden-trained Tuileries is likely to be aimed at the $3 million Magic Millions Guineas after another brilliant win in the Arrowfield Yearling Handicap (1300m).

Tuileries, who is raced by Jonathan Munz of Giga Kick fame, started $1.65 favourite and looked to be in trouble at the 400m when she was held up behind the leaders.

But jockey Tom Sherry was having none of that, pushing his way into the clear and the filly did the rest, bounding clear to win by than two lengths.

A daughter of former champion racehorse and now leading Coolmore Stud stallion So You Think, Tuileries has now won both starts this campaign very impressively.

Tuileries firmed into $8 and is on the third line of betting behind Snitzanova ($6) and Bauhinia ($7) for the Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast on January 11.

Originally published as Step up in distance proves no barrier as Tavi Time claims his biggest career win in the Group 3 Summer Cup at Randwick