Tagaloa (horse)
2019/20: two-year-old season
### 2019/20: two\-year\-old season

Tagaloa first raced in the [Maribyrnong Plate](/wiki/Maribyrnong_Plate "Maribyrnong Plate") as a 2 year old and came in third place. He won his next start at [Moonee Valley Racecourse](/wiki/Moonee_Valley_Racecourse "Moonee Valley Racecourse"). Connections opted against racing him in the [Magic Millions Classic](/wiki/Magic_Millions_Classic "Magic Millions Classic") and sent the horse instead for a break, with the aim being to run in the [Blue Diamond Stakes](/wiki/Blue_Diamond_Stakes "Blue Diamond Stakes"). Co\-trainer Trent Busuttin said after his Moonee Valley success, "He’s certainly a very promising, nice young horse. He’ll be aimed up towards a Blue Diamond Prelude and the Blue Diamond if he’s good enough.”

Tagaloa finished 4th in the [Blue Diamond Prelude C\&G](/wiki/Blue_Diamond_Prelude_C%26G "Blue Diamond Prelude C&G") and two weeks later started a 25/1 outsider in the [Blue Diamond Stakes](/wiki/Blue_Diamond_Stakes "Blue Diamond Stakes"). Ridden by [Michael Walker](/wiki/Michael_Walker_%28jockey%29 "Michael Walker (jockey)"), the horse was caught three deep during the race and was there to be beaten at the furlong when challenged by the favourite, Hanseatic, who had enjoyed a charmed run under jockey [Tim Clark](/wiki/Tim_Clark_%28jockey%29 "Tim Clark (jockey)"). However, Tagaloa was up for the fight and stayed on to defeat Hanseatic by a head margin.

Tagaloa then continued racing in Sydney. After finishing second in the [Todman Stakes](/wiki/Todman_Stakes "Todman Stakes") behind the [Gai Waterhouse](/wiki/Gai_Waterhouse "Gai Waterhouse") trained [Farnan](/wiki/Farnan_%28horse%29 "Farnan (horse)"), Tagaloa started as a 9/2 second favourite in the [Golden Slipper Stakes](/wiki/Golden_Slipper_Stakes "Golden Slipper Stakes") but was beaten four lengths by [Farnan](/wiki/Farnan_%28horse%29 "Farnan (horse)") again. After the race jockey [Michael Walker](/wiki/Michael_Walker_%28jockey%29 "Michael Walker (jockey)") said, “He ran super. He ran really really good. He peaked for a Blue Diamond. For a horse of his class to come back and still run fourth in a Golden Slipper is tremendous.”


Is it common for horses to have 'charmed runs' under certain jockeys?