Talented North Canterbury galloper Tumuch showed his class at Cromwell on Sunday, going against the pattern of the day to claim the KB Contractors Open (1400m).

A member of the in-form John and Karen Parsons stable, who picked up their fifth winner of the two-day carnival, Tumuch came into the contest as a scorching $1.70 favourite, reflective of his recent form with two top performances over New Zealand Cup Week behind Mazzucato and The Entertainer.

Having just his 13^th start and ninth with Leah Hemi in the saddle, Tumuch showed little early pace and settled at the tail of the field and three-wide early. Riding with confidence, Hemi was patient and allowed the gelding to find the rail before tracking wide on the turn, and despite the course typically favouring front-runners, Tumuch stormed down the outside and was far too good, taking the win by 1 – ¼ lengths to Tap ‘n’ Go and Firoden.

The Parsons watched Tumuch from home in Balcairn and they couldn’t have been happier with the son of Satono Aladdin.

“The performance was second-to-none today,” Karen Parsons said.

“We didn’t expect him to be that far back, but anyway, that’s okay. Our only plan for him now is to have a nice week off down there.

“I’m very crook and John stayed home to look after me, but watching the horses, it’s been amazing.”

The five-year-old is owned by John Parsons alongside Peter Lyons, and he has now recorded four wins and $117,130 in stakes in a light career.

The Parsons have had a multitude of success with the gelding’s family, with his dam, an unraced Captain Rio mare Pamela Place, a half-sister to former stable stalwart Camino Rocoso, a winner of 15 races including the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m).

El Ultimo, a full-brother to Tumuch, also broke his maiden on the first day of the Cromwell Carnival.