Former Touchstone Farm stallion Shrewd Rhythm moved off the mark with his first winner at Northam on Wednesday.

Rikki Tikki Tavi (3g Shrewd Rhythm – Salavat by Soviet Lad) came from well off the pace to win the Gannons Racing Colours Maiden (1100m) by two lengths for part-owner and trainer Bob Turrell.  He had been runner-up on debut in the Avon Valley last month.

Shrewd Rhythm was initially trained by Greg Eurell to win the 2007 G3 Blue Diamond Prelude and he returned the following season to claim the LR Vain Stakes.

A son of Danehill Dancer, he was beaten a length by Purrealist in the G3 Guineas Prelude and then ran head-long into Weekend Hussler in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and G1 Ascot Vale Stakes.

Shrewd Rhythm was purchased by David Hayes of Lindsay Park in conjunction with Patinack Farm but, instead of retiring to stud in the Eastern States, he was transferred to Touchstone Farm in 2010.

After that one-off book in WA, he returned to stand with Sam Hayes at Cornerstone Farm before a third move in as many years to Stable Hill Thoroughbreds at Oakbank in 2012.

Rikki Tikki Tavi comes from a long-standing Western Australian family that has been producing feature winners for over a century.  His 4th dam Queen Mark (Remarc) won the 1953 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes, 7th dam Feerique (Mural) also foaled Ferric to win the 1927 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes while his 9th dam Trionia (Tremando) won the 1901 WA Derby.

Trionia was a half-sister to 1900 Perth Cup winner Carbineer.  Their dam Gelesma (Lord Wilton) had crossed the Nullabor in 1895.

Carbineer (Carbine) was owned by Edward Roberts of Dandaragan and he sired numerous winners over many years at Yatheroo Station.