Aussie Owner Buys into NZ Oaks Favourite

Media Release - Monday February 3

Prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir is looking to repeat history in this weekend’s Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa, after buying into the $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) favourite Leica Lucy on Monday.

Last year Kheir purchased into Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Molly Bloom in the week of the Fillies’ Classic, and she gave him a near instant return on his investment when winning the Te Rapa feature.

Leica Lucy will line-up in Saturday's Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa for new co-owner Ozzie Kheir.   Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Kheir is hoping he can do the same with Leica Lucy on Saturday, having struck a deal with her owners, Heather and Peter Crofskey, who will remain in the ownership of their homebred.

The three-year-old daughter of Derryn has been a standout for the couple, winning three of her four starts for trainer Robbie Patterson, including the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), both at Trentham.

The Upper Hutt venue will be the home of her final two starts for the Taranaki horseman next month before she heads across the Tasman to join Molly Bloom at Chris Waller’s Sydney barn.

“Ozzie Kheir has joined up with the Crofskeys. I have got her for her next three runs, and she will be transferred to Chris Waller,” Patterson said.

“It is good that Ozzie has got the confidence in me to train her. She is a fantastic filly, and she will be good wherever she ends up.”

Patterson has been rapt with Leica Lucy’s career trajectory to date and believes the best has yet to be seen from her, with distance set to be her biggest ally.

“She is only going to get better too. The further she steps up, the better she should get,” he said.

“I am really excited about Saturday at Te Rapa and then the Lowland and Oaks. We will just take one race at a time, but there is a lot to look forward to.”

The New Zealand Oaks’ $1 million purse has been a big lure for Leica Lucy to remain in New Zealand, and Patterson foresees it being an ongoing trend with New Zealand’s burgeoning prizemoney.

Advertisement

“It (Oaks prizemoney) is a great carrot, that is obviously why she stayed here instead of going straight to Aussie,” he said. “New Zealand racing is on the up and the Australians are noticing and are starting to take advantage of it.”

Leica Lucy could be joined on the float trip north to Te Rapa this weekend by stablemate One Bold Cat, however, Patterson said his presence will be weather dependent and is looking unlikely at this stage with the fine weather forecast.

“He is in the Herbie (Gr.1, 2000m), but if the track gets too firm for him, he won’t be going,” Patterson said. “It will be dictated by the weather, but it looks fine at the moment.

“There are some pretty classy horses there. It is probably one of the toughest Group Ones I have ever seen in New Zealand.”

Meanwhile, Patterson’s Group One winner Puntura has been retired.

Bred and raced by Taranaki couple Carole and John Lynskey, Puntura won 11 of his 41 starts, including last year’s Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), which earned him an invitation to compete in the A$3.75 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield.

His other notable victories included the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) and Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m).

He failed to find form this season, with his fourth placing in the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) being the highlight of his preparation. He sustained a slight tendon strain following his run in last month’s Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), which brought down the curtain on a pleasing career.

“He has done a great job,” Patterson said. “He didn’t come up as well as he did last year. He deserves a good retirement. He has gone to our vet, Rebecca McKenzie, and she will look after him well.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Trans-Tasman Pin Up Girls Clash in Oaks
New Zealand’s star filly Leica Lucy will test her talent against Australia’s best on Saturday when she heads to Randwick in a bid to double her Oaks tally.
Leica Lucy Wins G1 NZ Oaks - Next Stop Australia
Leica Lucy signed off the New Zealand stage of her career with a Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) victory that showcased all of the class and courage that has made her this season’s standout filly.
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
NZ Oaks Favourite Wins G2 Lowland Stakes
Leica Lucy displayed exactly why she is the overwhelming favourite for the upcoming $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with a fourth-straight Group victory in Sunday’s Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m).
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Leica Lucy Survives Scare in Fillies’ Classic
Rising star Leica Lucy had to live right up to her fast-growing reputation at Te Rapa on Saturday, getting herself out of deep trouble in the straight and winning the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m).