The 5yr-old gelding showed some real fighting spirit at the top of the straight and eventually pulled away to win from just under a length from I’m A Tiger with Keranyn third another length and a-half back.
It had been a tough road back for Tap ‘n’ Go and trainer Lee Callaway. The horse had trouble finishing a race in August last year at Riccarton and back surgery was ordered. He trialled in Riccarton in early March before returning to racing in late March, again at Riccarton.
It was a slow resumption but trainer Lee Callaway always thought he would get better.
"He has been improving and I thought he could have done quite well with the small field we had," Callaway said.
Callaway was in the saddle yesterday and rode an expert race to have Tap ‘n’ Go handy at the top of the straight.
Callaway said the progress the horse had made was now paying off.
"I just think he’s got a bit more confidence in himself. Just getting a bit better."
He had finished third in his previous start at Wingatui behind Pearl Davone.
Pearl Davone was beaten over 1400m yesterday. She led strongly in the opening half but topweight Blue Eyed Suzie took off and won by five lengths going away.
It was an impressive performance by the Brian and Shane Anderton mare.
Kelvin and Aimee Tyler continued with their hot winning streak, claiming the opening two races on the card, including a quinella in the second.
Full Fury won in a tight finish in the first race and Gas Monkey took the second, just ahead of No Quarter Asked. That gave the Tyler duo 46 wins for the season and pushed them past $800,000 in prize money this year.
When asked yesterday, Tyler said it was just good horses getting the wins.
