Tarquin Takes Pago Pago Stakes

Tarquin remains unbeaten after winning the six-furlong Group Two Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill Gardens, Australia, on his second start on Saturday, March 14.

The two-year-old Hard Spun colt, trained by John O'Shea and the mount of William Buick, followed up his Newcastle maiden success here.

He was settled in sixth on the rail as stable companion Inner Circle, partnered by James McDonald, raced a bit keenly in third.

Switched out in the straight, Tarquin overcame inexperience to produce a strong run on the outside and take the lead in the closing stages.

He won going away by three quarters of a length from Rageese, with a short neck back to third Odyssey Moon, in 1m 11.54s on soft ground.

Inner Circle, a Street Cry colt, challenged in the straight and still had every chance with a half-furlong to race but then flattened out, finishing fourth, beaten a length and a quarter.

John O'Shea reported: "Tarquin worked home very strongly for a very good win.

"He is a really nice horse. We thought he could run well but the tempo of the race brought him into it and, given a beautiful ride by William Buick, he got the job done.

"Inner Circle had a beautiful run in transit but just lacks a bit of maturity and seasoning at this stage.

"James McDonald said that when the horse was asked to let down, he didn't quite know what to do, particularly at this level, but it was a really good performance. Depending on how he pulls up, we may give him one more before going to the paddock."