Group Three Winner for Zabeel

Media Release - Saturday January 13

The connections of Von Tunzelman will let the dust settle on their Trentham celebrations before confirming the handsome grey's immediate future.

On Saturday, the Roger James-trained son of Zabeel claimed his most important victory to date when he was downed Devise and Benzini in the Group III Miss Reef Trentham Stakes (2100m). (photo Trish Dunell). 

Raced by incoming Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Von Tunzelman holds a nomination for the upcoming Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thomson Auckland Cup (3200m).

"We're over the moon, he's probably been a bit unlucky in his last couple of runs," James' racing manager Robert Wellwood said. "He needs an uninterrupted run and it panned out beautifully today.

"Roger has taken his time with the horse and he showed us he was a stayer in the making when he won last season's Kaimai Stakes.

"We'll see how he pulls up and then Roger will make a decision where he goes."

Advertisement

Von Tunzelman enjoyed a good run in midfield before rider Leith Innes angled him into the clear across the top and they came with a well-timed finish in the straight.

"They went pretty hard up front and I was able to get out 500m from home," he said. "He's got a bright future, maybe a cup race next."

Von Tunzelman finished in behind the major players in two Melbourne starts in the spring and showed he was on the verge of winning form on his return with an encouraging run for seventh in the Group II Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

"We got to the 700m and the track was a bit greasy and lost a few lengths, but he hit the line strongly in the last 200m," Innes said. – NZ Racing Desk.


Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Tenth 2YO Winner Spirit of Boom
Lindsay Park Racing produced the tenth 2YO winner of the season for Spirit of Boom at Pakenham on Monday when the well backed favourite Idleonby saluted at her second start.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
Big Pedigrees Don’t Always Spell Black Type
The breeding of thoroughbreds is a very inexact science which is why we saw siblings to a pair of Group I winners fighting out the finish of a very pedestrian 1100m maiden at Ballarat on Sunday.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.