G3 Winner for Zacinto

Media Release - Sunday October 23

The Lisa Latta-trained He’s A Doozy ran out an impressive winner of the Gr.3 Gee Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Sunday under a peach of a ride from Kozzi Asano.

He’s A Doozy lands the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) under a perfect Kozzi Asano ride  Photo: Race Images PN (Peter Rubery)

The five-year-old son of Zacinto recorded his sixth career victory from 19 starts when coming from off the pace under a no-panic ground-saving ride by Asano, who tracked race favourite Secret Amour for much of the contest.

Gaining a split inside the final furlong of the roomy Trentham straight, He’s A Doozy powered over the top of proven stakes horses Markus Aurelius and Deerfield to land a deserved victory.

“I thought he was in a spot of bother at the 300m, but he just rode him patiently and the gaps opened up,” Latta said.

“He does like Trentham and looked well-placed today with the 53.5 kilos.

“He has just taken a bit of time. We had a really big opinion of him as a three-year-old but he disappointed us a couple of times. I just think it was immaturity and he has just gone from strength to strength now that he has furnished. “

Latta was one of the earlier supporters of Japanese apprentice Asano, who was previously based in Christchurch with Latta’s close friend Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston.

“I have had a bit of luck with Kozzi, especially when he was down with Andrew and coming up. He can ride light and that helps too.”

Advertisement

The Palmerston North horsewoman confirmed He’s A Doozy has booked his passage south for a tilt at the Gr.3 Coupland's Bakeries Mile (1600m), where he will clash with stablemate Nod Of The Head, who finished runner-up in the Coupland's Bakeries Mile Prelude (1400m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

“It is hard to split them,” Latta said. “Nod Of The Head is not proven at all at a mile, whereas He’s A Doozy is.”

Meanwhile, Latta said initial reports on the manner in which Diss Is Dramatic had come through her strong win in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) on Saturday were pleasing but a decision is still pending as to whether she will take on the colts and geldings in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 50th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on November 5.

“Andrew (Carston) is happy with her. I have still got to sit down with Albert (Bosma) and have a discussion as to where we go next.”

While Latta took stakes honours with He’s A Doozy, the day belonged to jockey Craig Grylls, who snared five winners on a competitive day of racing at Trentham.

Among Grylls quintet was a treble for New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson, headed by smart three-year-old filly Coogee Kate, who comfortably won the Life Direct Wellington Guineas Prelude (1200m) to make it two wins from two starts.

Grylls also partnered progressive four-year-old Mary Louise to win the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport Handicap (1400m), with the daughter of the Bold One looking likely to relish getting over a distance, with a lengthy action conducive to further. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Gee & Hickton Thompson Hcp Gr3 1600m

Trentham Track: Good(3) Time: 1:37.06
1
He's A Doozy
- 5g Zacinto (GB) x The Dewdrop (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: K Asano 53.5
2
0.8
Markus Aurelius
- 6g Ghibellines (AUS) x Evancho (AUS) (Shinzig (AUS))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: M J Mc Nab 58
3
3.3
Deerfield
- 9g Falkirk (NZ) x The Dazzler (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: S M Mc Kay 60
4
4.1
Secret Amour
- 6m Niagara (AUS) x My Secret (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret (GB))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 53.5
5
4.9
Cross Roads
- 6g Sweet Orange (USA) x Olliver's Road (NZ) (Straight Strike (NZ))
Tnr: G D Innes Rdr: M K Hudson 53
6
5.1
Zola Express
- 6m Shamexpress (NZ) x Zolana (NZ) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: Ms J Millar Rdr: C Dell 55
7
5.3
Field Of Gold
- 4g Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Chasing Mammon (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: A C Goindasamy 53
8
5.7
Kick On
- 5g Per Incanto (USA) x Kick Back (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: K T Myers Rdr: L Sutherland 57
9
6.0
Ruby Rocks
- 6m Burgundy (NZ) x Rapidpower (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA))
Tnr: R G Allen Rdr: M Hashizume 53
10
7.8
Chase
- 6g Zed (NZ) x Dantessa (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: S Nickalls Rdr: K R Hercock 55
11
7.9
Sherwood Forest
- 6g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Chasing Mammon (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: W J Thurlow Rdr: S J O'Malley 56.5
12
12.9
Victorem
- 5m Shooting To Win (AUS) x Gymnast (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: D G Bradley 53
13
18.4
Sidebar
- 7m Reliable Man (GB) x Barbette (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Ms S Rainford Rdr: M Singh 53
14
18.7
Amusez Moi
- 6g Dalghar (FR) x Next (GB) (In The Wings (GB))
Tnr: J Benner & H Wynyard Rdr: L J Allpress 56
More Reading...
First Winner for Australian Derby Winner Levendi
Blueblood Pierro colt Levendi won the Group I ATC Australian Derby for the Gelagotis stable back in 2018 and is now on the board as a sire having produced his first winner on Friday.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Another Super Promising Winner for Ole Kirk
Ole Kirk is setting the pace among first season sires and added a new winner to his tally at Caulfield on Saturday with Sonofkirk producing a dazzling finish to score an eye-catching victory.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Proisir filly Wins 3YO Winter Championship
Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso sent Levakia on a big road trip on Saturday in search of reasonable track conditions, and the plan paid off with victory in the $60,000 ITM/GIB 3YO Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.