Cambridge Stud to Cheer Snazzytavi

Media Release - Friday October 11

Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall are on weather watch as they prepare to shoot for $650,000 in prizemoney across a pair of Group races this weekend.

They will saddle emerging mare Snazzytavi in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, followed by proven star Bonny Lass in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua.

Snazzytavi will contest the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

On Friday morning, Te Rapa was rated a Soft 7 and Rotorua a Heavy8, and Richardson has been keeping a cautious eye on the skies.

“Track conditions and weather patterns are a bit of an issue for a few runners this weekend, ourselves included,” Richardson said. “It’s hard to know what the weather’s going to do. If those showers stay away and the tracks come back a little bit, that will be a big help for both of our mares.”

The Livamol Classic will be the biggest test of an exciting career for Snazzytavi. The daughter of Tavistock has won six times from 12 starts in the colours of Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, headed by the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Te Rapa in April.

Snazzytavi boasts a perfect three-from-three record at the Hamilton course, including a dominant last-start victory in a 1600m open handicap there on September 27.

“The fact that she’s had three starts at the track for three good wins is pretty exciting,” Richardson said. “It definitely seems to be a course that suits her, so even though it’s sad that this meeting has been moved away from Hastings, it could be a bit of an advantage for us.”

Snazzytavi will be ridden by Warren Kennedy in Saturday’s $550,000 showpiece, and the TAB rates her a $6.50 third favourite behind Campionessa ($4.50) and One Bold Cat ($5).

“I’m very happy with the horse,” Richardson said. “Obviously it’s a pretty strong field on Saturday, and track conditions are a query. I think she’ll be fine if it comes back into that soft range, but anything worse than that would be a concern.

Advertisement

“Getting up over a bit more ground is a bit of unknown territory as well. She has done it successfully before (winning a 2000m Rating 75 at Matamata in February), but this is earlier in the season and against a high class of opposition. We’re very hopeful, but it’s a bit of a case of wait and see.”

Bonny Lass has well and truly proven herself against elite opposition, winning Group races at the ages of two, three, four, five and six. She broke through for her first Group One win in the BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in February, and returned there in August for a similarly impressive victory in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m).

In her only start since then, the Super Easy mare finished sixth in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. Richardson was not disappointed with that performance and has been pleased with the mare in her build-up to Sunday’s Sweynesse Stakes – a race she won in 2022.

“They just went a little bit hard early in the Tarzino,” he said. “It didn’t turn out the best for her, but I didn’t think it was too bad a run under the circumstances.

“She pulled up very well after that race and enjoyed a week or so out in the paddock. She’s been looking good since coming back into work.

“She won this race a couple of years ago, so we know she gets around Rotorua well. She’s very tough and I’m sure she’ll be competitive again.

“Hopefully she’ll be able to get through the track conditions okay. Apart from that, we’re very happy with her and everything is good.

“We want to get her through to races like the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) and Railway (Gr.1, 1200m), where she hasn’t had a lot of luck in the past. After that, she might even end up in Brisbane. That might be a trip for the connections to look forward to next year.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
In-Demand Stallions Feature in NZB Weanling Sale Catalogue
The catalogue for the 2025 NZB National Weanling Sale features the progeny of a broad range of sires, from proven topliners to exciting up-and-comers as well as the brand-new kid on the block, Profondo.
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.
Brendan Lindsay honoured - Knights of the Cambridge Stud roundtable
The Cambridge Stud legacy continues to grow, with current co-principal Brendan Lindsay appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours for his services to business and philanthropy.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.
Pony Racing Series Finals This Saturday
The excitement is building as the 2025 National Pony Racing Series Finals prepare to take centre stage at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday, 7 June, showcasing the nation's most promising young riders and their ponies.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 2
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Williams honoured with Damehood
Two thoroughbred industry stalwarts have been bestowed one of New Zealand’s highest honours in the King’s Birthday honour list, including Catriona Williams, who has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport.
Winx to Visit Too Darn Hot
World champion racehorse Winx is set for a new chapter in her stud career this spring with an announcement from her ownership group of Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Elizabeth Treweeke that Too Darn Hot (GB) is the chosen one.
G3 Fred Best Showdown for Quality Colts – Rosemont vs Yulong
The rescheduled $300,000 Group III BRC Fred Best Classic (1350m) brings stakes racing to a Wednesday this week with a field of 17 to go around at Doomben and at the head of the market is a pair of quality colts.