A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Successful last campaign when winning the Group 2 ATC Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) as well as recording a Group 1 third placed effort behind stablemate Lady Shenandoah in the ATC Surround Stakes, the talented mare was given a very easy time in her two barrier trials leading into Saturday.
With James McDonald in the saddle Lazzura started on the third line of betting with Godolphin’s Corniche (Fastnet Rock) jumping the favourite off a last start third in the July Sprint behind Romeo’s Choice (Choistar), who also started in Saturday’s race.
From the outside barrier of eight, Lazzura was given time to find her feet, drifting back to the tail of the field as With Your Blessing (NZ) (Vadamos) leading from Just Feelin’ Lucky (Justify).
In the small field, McDonald made the decision to go through the pack once the home turn was reached, saving many lengths and putting himself in a challenging position where he was able to chase down With Your Blessing to win by a length and a quarter.
Working home well into third down the outside was the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou trained General Salute with son of Russian Revolution recording another Group 3 placing.
With Waller training many previous winners of the Phar Lap Stakes who've gone on to record Group 1 success, the trainer feels Lazzura has the right credentials to be the next.
“She is a talented filly in her own right. All those horses (Phar Lap Stakes winners) that have won it have gone on to win G1 races. Lazzurra is just waiting for that moment to happen,” said Waller.
“She gives that impression at home that she has come back bigger and stronger. What we bring to the races from each year as they get older, we look after them early and get rewarded late.
“She deserves a G1 so we have to pick out the right G1. The Sir Rupert Clarke early in the Spring at Caulfield or whether we keep her up here for an Epsom and see where Autumn Glow is going. A few little things to map together. She will win one and maybe not just be one.”
The third of a Group winning treble for Waller and McDonald, the leading jockey was impressed with the Snitzel mare.
“She is a star,” enthused McDonald.
“She gave me a beautiful ride.
“Left the gates a little bit awkwardly. Got back and thought they didn't really go a gallop.
“Thought she would have to be extremely good to win but she was that. Got through the ground well. A tenacious mare who has come back in great order. Well looked after."
As for where she may head next, McDonald commented on Lazzura’s speed.
“She is pretty quick. For her to rattle off sectionals like she has today off a slow tempo is a testament to her ability but also how quick she is. She has plenty of pace.”
Lazzura’s Group 3 victory takes her record to four wins and three placed performances from 11 starts with earnings of $713,125.
Bred by the Arrowfield Group and Jungle Pocket Pty Ltd, Lazzura was a $500,000 Magic Millions purchase for B2B Thoroughbreds from the Arrowfield Stud draft and was the first leg of a Snitzel black type double.
A three-quarter sister to stakes-placed Portorosa, Lazzura is the best of three winners from winning Japanese import Laguna Azzurra(Jpn), a half-sister by Heart’s Cry to Group 3 winner Seewind from stakes-winner Silky Lagoon.
Laguna Azzurra has an unraced 3yo colt by The Autumn Sun, produced a filly by Snitzel last spring and is due to foal to Farnan - Kia Ora Stud’s Leading First Season Sire of last season.
Lazzura is one of 161 stakes winner for Arrowfield Stud’s multiple Champion Sire Snitzel who was unfortunately enthused earlier this year.
