Zacinto 2YO Impressive on Debut

Media Release - Sunday February 19

Byerley Park trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata look to have a smart juvenile on their hands in the form of Crocetti, who was successful in the Dad’s Pies 1100m at Pukekohe on Saturday.

The son of Zacinto bounced well from an inside gate under jockey Sam Spratt and never looked likely to be run down, going on to score by just over three lengths over There Goes My Hero in a race that looked to have depth.

Crocetti was an impressive debut winner at Pukekohe on Saturday Photo: Race Images

Crocetti was one of a brace of winners on the day for owner and breeder Daniel Nakhle, who was later in the winner’s circle care of Volare scoring in Rating 65 company.

An easy trial winner back in October, Crocetti was sent out a $5.40 second elect and fronted on raceday after a sale had fallen through.

“We were pretty confident with him going into Saturday,” Walker said.  

“He went shin sore and we decided to turn him out after his trial win. There was an offer on the horse and the money never came through.

“We decided we were going to turn him out and give him a little break. When we brought him back into work we just got happier and happier and happier with him.

“Daniel and I sat down and he said he wasn’t that keen on selling the horse and he thought we should just race him, so it was great to see him win so well on debut.

Nominated for the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 1, Walker said he was not keen to overtax the youngster as a two-year-old.

“It’s an option but he probably won’t have many runs as a two-year-old. He is a lovely type of horse and just a racehorse,” Walker said.

Advertisement

“He is quite mature and strong but we don’t want to burn him out and I think he is going to make a nice three-year-old.

“We will get through the next week and then make a decision what we do with him. He may even go back to the paddock, we will just see.”

Walker and Tata have 18 horses in work at Byerley Park, the South Auckland training facility owned by the Nahkle family.

“We are very fortunate that he let us have this horse to train,” Walker said. “Daniel is a huge supporter of racing. We need a few more Daniel Nahkles in the game.”

Those who followed the recent Karaka Sales results would have copped the free tip that Walker was keen on the youngster, when the trainer went to $250,000 to secure his half-brother by Pride Of Dubai under his Brookby Stables banner.

“I really liked the Pride Of Dubai. I had seen him as a weanling and as a yearling going through the system before he went to Haunui Farm to go to the sales. I thought he might be out of our reach,” Walker said.

“I missed out on a horse earlier in the sale that I was keen on, and I was delighted to get the Pride of Dubai for $250,000, knowing how well Crocetti went.

“It is a good family. It’s a winning family,” Walker said of the colt who is out of Gracehill, a sibling to Group Three winners Killarney and Crosshaven. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Promising Winner and a Star on the Rise
One of the bargain priced sires on the Newgate Farm roster, Cosmic Force has never lacked for company covering 100 plus books of mares in each of his five seasons at stud so far totalling nearly 700 mares.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Breeding to Win - 2025 G1 Memsie Stakes
The big guns step out and spring is on in earnest when the Memsie (1400m WFA) rolls around and what a cracking field we have in 2025 for the first G1 of the Southern spring with 11 runners and 10 are G1 winners!
Sir Stanley Goosman’s Impact on the National Yearling Sale
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and a prominent buyer during the history of the Sale was Stanley Goosman (later Sir Stanley).  He was a key player at the Sale during the World War II era, and headed the list of winning owners in New Zealand on 10 occasions.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 29
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Gosford
He’s big and beautiful and it looks like the patient approach might be about to pay off for this talented I Am Invincible four year-old who won on debut at Gosford on Friday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.
Via Sistina Honoured at NSW Horse of the Year
One of the greatest seasons of all time has secured Via Sistina the TAB NSW Champion Horse of the Year award. The Chris Waller-trained mare was recognised at Racing’s Night of Champions for her outstanding performance in 2024/2025 which included equalling Winx’s record of seven Group 1s in a single season.