Cambridge Stud Christmas Winner

Media Release - Wednesday December 27

Promising galloper Snazzytavi outlined her credentials for higher honours when she defeated a quality line up of intermediate-graded gallopers to take out the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.

Snazzytavi continued her rise to higher targets with victory in the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m) at Pukekohe Park. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Sporting the familiar colours of Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the four-year-old daughter of Tavistock looked to be in for a profitable summer after kicking off a new campaign with a close second over 1400m at the venue last month before winning stylishly at Te Rapa earlier this month.

Having her first attempt beyond 1400m, the Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained runner took it all in her stride as she settled in midfield for rider Vinnie Colgan, who was substituting for the suspended Warren Kennedy, before building her momentum approaching the home bend.

Momentarily pocketed behind runners at the 300m, Colgan eased her into a needle-eye gap before balancing up and driving clear to win going away by more than a length from the fast-finishing pair of Rudyard and Sindacato.

Richardson was justifiably proud of the effort after the mare overcame a muddling pace and some mid-race interference.

“That was a big effort today as they walked down the back (straight), where she got her head up as one came back on her,” he said.

“I thought then she was going to need a lot of luck but he (Colgan) rode her well as he didn’t panic and she showed she is a good mare.

“When she is strong enough she will get over more ground but she is still a little immature.

Advertisement

“Brendan and Jo are great to train for and it’s nice to have a quality mare like this.”

Colgan was also taken with the effort.

“The pace slackened off and my horse was over-racing,” he said.

“She travelled into it nicely turning for home and I had to make a few choices in the straight, but luckily enough we got through the gaps.

“She really pulled away the last little bit.”

Out of Zabeel mare Ritzy Lady, the winner of the 2007 Listed New Zealand St Leger (2500m) who was also runner-up in the 2006 Gr.2 Counties Cup (2100m), Snazzytavi hails from an extended family that includes stakes performers Playful Fingers, South African Group winners Hancock Park and Park Lane and Australian Group One winner Manuel. - LOVERACING.NZ News Des

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.