Cover image courtesy of Waikato Stud
Tivaci was represented by his first winner on Wednesday when 3-year-old Celevacci (NZ) was successful on debut at Belmont and a day later fellow second-season galloper Mascherata (NZ) struck impressively at Scone.
Chittick wasn’t expecting Tivaci’s first crop to star as juveniles and always tipped them to impress as 3-year-olds, just as the son of High Chaparral (Ire) did during his racing days with Flemington trainer Michael Moroney.
“As I keep saying, I really like stallions that stamp their genetics and, like leaves like, and that’s exactly what we are seeing and exactly what I was expecting,” Chittick said.
“Tivaci didn’t run as a 2-year-old and it was early in his 3-year-old year that he came out and won and then developed into a top-class 1400 and 1600-metre horse.”
“Tivaci didn’t run as a 2-year-old and it was early in his 3-year-old year that he came out and won and then developed into a top-class 1400 and 1600-metre horse.” – Mark Chittick
Tivaci was successful in his September debut and two runs later finished runner-up in the Listed UCI S. over 1800 metres before failing in the G3 Caulfield Classic at 2000 metres.
The focus returned to the shorter trips during his next preparation and he continued to bloom with success in the G3 CS Hayes S. and the G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas.
As a strong and mature 4-year-old, Tivaci placed at the elite level in the Toorak H. and Cantala S., claimed the Listed Kensington S. before he signed off with a dynamic victory in the G1 All Aged S.
“I think that’s the most severe hangover I have ever incurred after that. The way things are going now, there’s every chance I might end up with another one or two,” Chittick said.
“Tivaci wasn’t effective past 1800 metres and when he came back in distance he was at his very best. They had him sorted out and kept him around a mile after we had bought into him,” Chittick said.
“We were involved in the Group 1 races and we would have been happy to stand Tivaci at stud before the All Aged S., but obviously that was the icing on the cake.
“We were involved in the Group 1 races and we would have been happy to stand Tivaci at stud before the All Aged S., but obviously that was the icing on the cake.” – Mark Chittick
“His win was incredible at Randwick that day, you definitely had to be on the speed to win. He was second to last on the turn and showed massive acceleration to pick them up and win easily.
“He was a brilliant 1400 to 1600-metre horse and that’s what we loved about him.”
Mark Chittick | Image courtesy of Waikato Stud
Tivaci is a sizeable unit, but a kind-natured stallion and understandably a Chittick favourite.
“He’s a cool horse, he’s a big fellow and puts plenty of substance into his progeny, but he’s an absolute gentle giant,” he said.
“He has a special place in my heart, they all do, but him in particular. We bought into him as a 3-year-old and raced him on and won a Group 1 race.”
Tivaci was purchased by the trainer's brother Paul Moroney for $250,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where he was offered by Princes Farm. He is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Breccia (NZ), a half-sister to G1 Toorak H. winner Allez Wonder (Redoute's Choice).
Tivaci | Standing at Waikato Stud
Success for cross
Tivaci's son Celevacci (NZ) and daughter Mascherata (NZ) are both Waikato Stud graduates and are out of Savabeel mares.
“That’s a cross we really wanted to focus on – that High Chaparral and Fastnet Rock blood over the Savabeel mares and so far so good,” Chittick said.
Mascherata is trained by John O’Shea, who is a big Tivaci fan and went to NZ$150,000 to secure the filly at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.
“I’m quite bullish about Tivaci, he was a super talented racehorse and seems to be putting that into his progeny,” he said.
“Mascherata has always been a talented filly, she just needed a little bit of time like most of Tivaci’s progeny do. We’ll take her into town next and then hopefully a stakes race some time this spring.”
