Dark Destroyer all business in Group One victory

Media Release - Saturday September 10

Dark Destroyer, one of last season’s top three-year-olds showed he has come back as a spring four-year-old in fine fettle as he produced a resolute finish to take out the first Group One of the New Zealand season, the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings.

 Dark Destroyer (left) gets the better of Spring Tide to win the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings Photo credit: Trish Dunell

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained son of Proisir hadn’t been seen since completing a successful campaign in Brisbane during the winter where he took out the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2143m) before finishing an unlucky fourth in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) behind fellow Kiwi, Pinarello.

The David Archer-owned gelding had failed to flatter when unplaced behind race-rival La Crique over 1100m at the Taupo trials last month, however he stripped a far fitter horse for his campaign opener on Saturday.

Settled back towards the rear by rider Lisa Allpress, Dark Destroyer began to move into the race approaching the home corner where hot favourite Imperatriz ($1.50) had been taken to the front by Opie Bosson.

Imperatriz and last year’s runner-up Spring Tide set down to a tooth and nail struggle at the 200m before Dark Destroyer asserted his superiority in the final stages to win by a length from Spring Tide with La Crique knocking off Imperatriz for third.

Scott admitted the stable had a few doubts about the readiness of their charge for the first-up assignment following his trial effort but were delighted he had proven them wrong.

“He looks good now but, in all honesty, he still has a lot of improvement in his coat to come,” Scott said.

“He just hadn’t come up at all since returning from Queensland with the cold air making it hard to keep them warm like he experienced over there.

“There will be a lot of improvement in him and he has three weeks to get ready to get back down here again (for the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate, 1600m) and hopefully he keeps going the right way.

“He had the benefit of residual fitness, but it has been a good effort by the team at home to get him ready.

“He looked a bit average after he trialled at Taupo but Lance (O’Sullivan) said not to worry he had just pulled a bit hard and it certainly switched him on and he showed massive improvement.”

Scott believes the step up in distance to 1600m for his next target will definitely suit the horse.

Advertisement

“The further he goes it doesn’t seem to worry him,” he said.

“A wee bit of racing and some warmth through the spring is only going to help him along.”

Allpress was thrilled by the effort of Dark Destroyer who she had kept an eye on since his first start before finally gaining the mount for today’s campaign opener.

“Full credit to the horse as he just switched off and gave me such a beautiful ride,” she said.

“I’m very appreciative to get on such a neat little horse.

“He was difficult for me at the trials but gave me a lot better feel today.

“I could see during the running that La Crique was getting pocketed and Imperatriz was well in front of us so I got on my bike and he just gave me everything.”

Proisir

Dark Destroyer has now won five of his eleven starts and over $587,000 in prizemoney and becomes the second Group One winner for his Rich Hill Stud-based sire Proisir who will stand his eighth season at the Walton nursery in 2022 for a fee of $17,500+GST.

The victory started a wonderful twenty minutes for stud master John Thompson and his team at Rich Hill as exciting Melbourne-based galloper I’m Thunderstruck, a son of former Gr.1 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, stormed to victory in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Shocking will stand the 2022 breeding season at Rich Hill for a fee of $12,500+GST. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Tarzino Trophy Gr1 1400m

Hastings Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:32.49
1
Dark Destroyer
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x All Can Party (AUS) (All American (AUS))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: L J Allpress 58.5
2
1.0
Spring Tide
- 6g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Spring Fever (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: J K Riddell 59
3
1.8
La Crique
- 4m Vadamos (FR) x Destiny Cove (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: S & K Alexander Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
4
2.6
Imperatriz
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Berimbau (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 57
5
5.1
Green Luck
- 8g Street Cry (IRE) x Damah Lady (AUS) (Mukaddamah (USA))
Tnr: P D Harris Rdr: R T Elliot 59
6
5.9
Jodelin Gal
- 6m Swiss Ace (AUS) x Signorina (NZ) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: C J Henderson Rdr: T L Newman 57
7
7.4
Helena Baby
- 8g Guillotine (NZ) x Hot Stash (AUS) (Secret Savings (USA))
Tnr: J W Bell Rdr: D J Danis 59
8
10.7
Demonetization
- 8g All Too Hard (AUS) x Midnight Special (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: N W Tiley Rdr: S C Spratt 59
9
18.0
Rose 'n' Power
- 5m Power (GB) x Diamond Rose (NZ) (Danroad (AUS))
Tnr: F & L Cornege Rdr: S R Weatherley 57
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.