Tarzino has justified his resounding market favouritism at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon; producing a typically strong turn of foot in the final straight to take out the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) from Montaigne and Jameka.

Tarzino posted a second career Group 1 victory in the Rosehill Guineas this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart

Tarzino was unlucky to finish second to Palentino in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) a fortnight ago and did his chances of going one better this afternoon no harm when jumping from the gates well and taking an ideal position on the heels of early leaders I’m Belucci and Jameka.

Offered a clear racing line upon arriving at the final straight, the Tavistock colt immediately kicked up a gear and pulled to the fore of the field; maintaining to the line well and withstanding an impressive late charge from Montaigne.

Trainer Mick Price was understandably pleased with Tarzino’s performance to win the Rosehill Guineas and is confident the horse will be very hard to beat in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) in a fortnight.

“He’s a really good colt,” Price said.

“We tried to win the Caulfield Guineas and he got caught up, we tried to win the Australian Guineas and he bombed the start and was disadvantaged by that.

“He’s got a great set of lungs on him and a big, aggressive colt attitude about him, he’s a great horse to train.

“I thought today might be a bit of a bogey race for him; first time in Sydney in the Rosehill Guineas and we saw Mongolian Khan come unstuck in this race before winning the Derby.

“I just can’t wait to get to the Derby at Randwick on a big track.

“We didn’t want to be out the back but he is a colt and has his ways about him and he came out slow motion in the Australian Guineas which wasn’t our intention.

“We just wanted to be a little bit more forward today and where he landed was perfect. He sat on the bridle and was just too good for them.”

Tarzino made a commendable transition to black type racing in spring when seventh in the Caulfield Guineas and clearly relished a continued step up in distance when third in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) before ending his campaign with a dominant win in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m).

Having clearly taken benefit from each of his runs this time in, Tarzino will head to the 2016 Australian Derby on Day 1 of The Championships a clear race favourite.

2016 Rosehill Guineas Results