Tawqeet Gives Kingmambo First Aussie GI Win

Kingmambo sired his first Southern Hemisphere grade I winner as the U.S. bred Tawqeet won the $600,000 (Australian) Metropolitan Handicap (Aus-I) at Randwick on Oct 7.

Bred by 6C Stallions Limited from Caerleon daughter, Caerless, Tawqueet races for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum.

Partnered by Dwayne Dunn, with whom trainer David Hayes had a successful association in Hong Kong, Tawqeet (16-1) came from midfield at the top of the lane and powered away 200 meters out and held on to win by a half-length.

Zabeel son Activation was also impressive from a spring Cups viewpoint after giving away a big start in mid-stretch. Vanquished was another 1 1/4 lengths away third, the 2,400 meters over in 2:31.10.

Tawqeet was six lengths third behind Scorpion and The Geezer in the English St Leger (Eng-I) in September last year, before the Sheikh sent him south in search of a third Melbourne Cup (Aus-I). He was successful in the Melbourne Cup with Roberto son, At Talaq, and Jeune (by Kalaglow).

"This horse reminds me a lot of Jeune," Hayes said after the race. "He has had a similar preparation and is coming right at the right time. Everything is going to plan."