Written by Jackson Frantz
Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Triple Crown Syndications' Director Michael Ward is confident the well-fancied Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) can emulate 2017 G1 Doomben 10,000 hero Redzel (Snitzel) and become the latest in a long list of gallopers to successfully represent the operation's colours during the Queensland winter carnival.
Ward, who runs Triple Crown Syndications in partnership with his brother Chris, has also achieved stakes success in the sunshine state with G1 BTC Cup winner Hot Snitzel (Snitzel), G3 Gold Coast Guineas hero Dothraki (Mossman) and G3 BRC Sprint victor Charlie Boy (Myboycharlie {Ire}).
Dothraki and Charlie Boy also boast second placings in the G1 BTC Cup and G1 Doomben 10,000 respectively.
Michael and Chris Ward | Image courtesy of Inglis
“It would be tremendous to win the Doomben 10,000 with Mazu, it is a race that we’ve had a bit of success with in the past and it would be great if Mazu can take that extra step and add another name to it,” Ward told TDN AusNZ.
“Running our horses during the (Queensland) carnival is all about timing, it is a good opportunity to take horses up there and have a good springboard into the spring, as the last thing you want to be doing is leave them out sitting in the paddock for months on end.”
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Mazu, who is set to line up in Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 as a commanding favourite, cemented his status as one of the most exciting young sprinters in the land when bringing up his fifth consecutive victory in last month’s G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
Mazu, winner of the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Ward said Mazu has been set specifically for the sprint feature and that he isn't willing to cast his eye foward to what could await in the spring despite the talk of a potential Everest birth.
“He’s (Mazu) been going terrific,” Ward said. “Just after the Arrowfield Sprint he went out and had a week in the paddock and he’s been set for this race ever since returning to the stables.
“There was a bit of space there between the Arrowfield Sprint and the Doomben 10,000, so we’ve just taken that opportunity and thought it would be a positive.”
“He’s (Mazu) been going terrific. Just after the Arrowfield Sprint he went out and had a week in the paddock and he’s been set for this race ever since returning to the stables.” - Michael Ward
The ultimate gear change
Ward and fellow connections felt that a gelding operation was warranted following Mazu’s promising juvenile campaign, which saw him win on debut before missing a G1 Golden Slipper S. birth when finishing 0.3l behind Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}) in the G3 Pago Pago S.
“He’s been gelded since his previous preparation and it’s just allowed the horse to settle down a bit as he was a bit above himself previously,” Ward said.
“He’s (Mazu) been gelded since his previous preparation and it’s just allowed the horse to settle down a bit as he was a bit above himself previously.” - Michael Ward
“We bypassed the Slipper after a bit of bad luck in the Pago Pago because we knew that if we looked after him we’d see the best of him as he matured."
Mazu’s raw speed and electric turn of foot has showcased the versatility of his sire Maurice (Jpn), who is also responsible for Hitotsu - winner of the G1 VRC Derby and G1 ATC Derby.
Ward said he identified Mazu as a sprinting type before paying $180,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to secure the Parson’s Creek offering.
Mazu as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“He was just a very impressive individual, he was very well-balanced and a good-moving type that ticked all of the boxes that we look for in our horses,” Ward said.
Mazu is out of the G2 Silver Shadow S.-placed Chatelaine (Flying Spur), making him a half-brother to the G1 Coolmore Stud S.-winning, G1 Golden Slipper S.-placed Headway.
Princess Series the plan
Ward confirmed that G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution) is back in work and will be aimed at the Princess Series, which will see her spring campaign commence in the G2 Darley Silver Shadow S. and conclude in the G1 Flight S.
He said R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic runner-up Miss Hellfire (Hellbent) is another exciting young Triple Crown-owned talent to keep an eye out for during the spring.
Gallery: Other exciting Triple Crown-owned fillies
“She (Revolutionary Miss) has done a terrific job,” Ward said.
“From where she went to where she finished her first preparation is only what really good horses can do."
Value buys still possible
Triple Crown aren’t one to lash out on expensive yearlings with the majority of their past stars all secured for under $150,000.
And despite the strength of the current bloodstock market they have managed to purchase 12 yearlings this year for what Ward believes to be the 'right price'.
“The average Sale prices are clearly up, but there’s always opportunities there and it’s just a matter of how much work you have to do to secure them,” Ward said.
“It’s about putting in the hard yards to make sure we get value for money offerings that we can put forward to our owners.”
