Mazu Unstoppable in Darby Munro

Mark Smith - Saturday March 19

Arrowfield Stud’s Japanese shuttler Maurice (Jpn) kick-started Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens with the first two winners.

As easy as it looks for Mazu (image Steve Hart)

After the Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained Achira flagged her ATC Oaks credentials with a fighting win in a 1500m Midway, the progressive Mazu confirmed his claim among the most progressive three-year-olds in training with a dominant performance in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m).

Advertisement

Ridden by Sam Clipperton for Peter and Paul Snowden, Mazu trailed the leader Omni Man and never left the fence in defeating the Exceed And Excel gelding Bacchanalia by two and a half lengths with the Snitzel filly Smirnova a length furthr back in third.

A last start winner of the Listed Fireball Stakes, Mazu is three for three since being gelded.

The winner of the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes last spring, the Triple Crown Syndications colour bearer advances his record to five wins and a third from nine starts with earnings of $461,350.

Paul Snowden revealed they had given some thought to staring the glorious-looking son of Maurice (JPN) in the Group 1 Galaxy.

“That was a solid effort, we were contemplating starting him in a harder race later in the day,” Snowden said.

Mazu a $180,000 Inglis Classic yearling

“We decided to stay in our lane and keep following the programme. This is just another run to tick him over for the Arrowfield.

“He has always had immense talent. but he was his own worse enemy. He was doing what colts that should not be colts were doing. ‘We did what we had to do with full support of the ownership group and they’re reaping the benefits of that now.

“I have no doubt he will reach top level with time. He will get 7f on his ear. He is relaxing so well now.”

A $180,000 purchase by Triple Crown Syndications out of the Parsons Creek Pastoral draft at the 2020 Classic Yearling Sale, Mazu is a half-brother to Headway (Charge Forward) who was crowned the 2008-09 Champion 2yo Filly in Australia. Her four wins included the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and was runner-up in the Golden Slipper.

 Mazu is out of the multiple stakes-placed Flying Spur mare Chatelaine, who has a weanling colt by Toronado (IRE) and was covered by King’s Legacy last spring.

Maurice's grey daughter Achira grinds out a tough win in the opener (image Steve Hart)

Advertisment

Race Result - Irresistible Pools Darby Munro LR 1200m

Rosehill Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:13.20
1
Mazu
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Chatelaine (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: S Clipperton 58.5
2
2.5
Bacchanalia
- 3g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Thalia (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: N Rawiller 58
3
3.5
Smirnova
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Ballet Blue (AUS) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 54
4
3.8
Shihonka
- 3f Capitalist (AUS) x Stroak (AUS) (Real Saga (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
5
5.1
Bend The Knee
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Kneeling (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Tommy Berry 58
6
5.2
Minsk Moment
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Dancing Express (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
7
9.2
Omni Man
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Courgette (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 8
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cambridge Stud Mare Primed for Return
Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua.
First Magic 2YO Winner for Te Akau
David Ellis and Te Akau Racing spent over $5million on 17 yearlings at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale earlier this year and they unleashed their first winner from the group at Avondale on Wednesday. 
Mazu Turns Back the Clock
Mazu broke a nearly two-year drought by making light work of the heavy conditions in Saturday’s Group III TAB Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Red Letter Day for Maurice
While Hitotsu was grabbing the headlines in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington, the Japanese champion Maurice (GB) had another promising three-year-old salute when Mazu captured the Listed Tokyo City Keiba Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick.
Hot Lots Day 3 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale third and final session kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day.
Yulong Purchase into Enriched - Inglis October (Early) Sale
Three individual shares in the G2-winning entire Enriched sold for a combined $440,000 in a highly successful Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale today.
Maurice's Magnificent Mazu Claims the Arrowfield Sprint
Due to Sydney’s big wet, just four of the ten acceptors went to the post for Saturday’s $1,000,000 Group II Arrowfield 3yo Sprint (1200m) at Randwick, but there is no denying they were a high-class lot.
Andy Caps positive week for Alwyn Park
Alwyn Park Stud owner John Andrew has received a positive post-script to Magnificent Andy’s victory in the inaugural $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) at Kalgoorlie on Saturday.
Three 2.2million Guineas Colts Top Second Day of Tattersalls Book 1 - Two by Wootton Bassett
The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw a further six lots realise seven-figure prices headed by a trio of colts, two by the late WOOTTON BASSETT, both bought by Amo Racing, and one by FRANKEL, at 2,200,000 guineas. The average was an impressive 352,672 guineas.