Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Torranzino too tough in the Cup
Winning the $500,000 G3 Geelong Cup is a double thrill for connections - not only does it deliver prestigious G3 Geelong Cup glory, but it also guarantees the winner a coveted spot in the $10 million G1 Melbourne Cup.
The New Zealand-bred Torranzino (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) proved too strong for his rivals, with Celine Gaudray giving him a perfect ride just off the speed in fourth, one out with cover. The pair had combined earlier this month for a gallant second in the G3 Bart Cummings Handicap, and this time they went one better.
Gilded Water (GB) (Fastnet Rock) set a genuine tempo under Declan Bates, who ensured the talented gelding didn’t tear away in front as he had last start. He gave a strong kick at the top of the straight, but Torranzino pulled out early and sustained a powerful run to the line, proving too tough by half a length. Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) was solid in third.
Torranzino has now compiled an impressive record of six wins and nearly $1.1 million in prize money. His resume includes victory in the G3 Easter Cup over 2000 metres and placings in both the G3 Bart Cummings and Listed Warrnambool Cup. With a stout staying pedigree, he has well and truly earned his shot at the G1 Melbourne Cup.
Trainer Paul Preusker was understandably delighted to secure another Cup contender.
Paul Preusker | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Super excited to get another go (at the Melbourne Cup). That’s what it’s all about for me – getting a go. I came here yesterday thinking I’d run one-two. He’s done plenty of work for it and I love the way he’s going. We came through the hurdles yesterday but we might camp away next time.
"He’s been an unbelievable horse all the way through. He’s wanted to do things his way - I’ve hurdle-schooled him, steeple-schooled him, we’ve locked horns a few times but eventually he won, and he’s a happy horse now.”
“He’s (Torranzino) been an unbelievable horse all the way through. He’s wanted to do things his way - I’ve hurdle-schooled him, steeple-schooled him, we’ve locked horns a few times but eventually he won, and he’s a happy horse now.” - Paul Preusker
When asked what was next for Torranzino before the big day, Preusker said:
“He’s pretty much there. Just need to keep the weight off him. He’s a horse that does well, so we’ll keep him ticking over. He’s fit.”
Jockey Celine Gaudray was ecstatic to claim the Geelong Cup - and in doing so, secure her first-ever Melbourne Cup ride.
“It is so surreal. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve watched the Melbourne Cup - as does everybody else, and to get a ride is unbelievable. This horse really deserves his spot,” Gaudray said.
“It is so surreal. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve watched the Melbourne Cup - as does everybody else, and to get a ride is unbelievable. This horse really deserves his (Torranzino) spot.” - Celine Gaudray
“The whole race I was giggling to myself. He was travelling really well and I thought at the 600 metres I’d pop out and let him come into it. I had so much horse underneath me, and he took me to the line.”
And how does she feel heading toward the Cup?
“Excited!” she said with a grin.
Sales info: Torranzino was purchased by his trainer Paul Preusker for NZ$75,000 from the Phoenix Park draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodsock Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Torranzino is out of Goldilicious (NZ) (Helmet), who was placed on the track in New Zealand. She is a half sister to Showbeel (NZ) (Savabeel) who won the G3 Desert Gold Stakes.
Torranzino as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Torranzino’s grandam Showella (NZ) (Lord Ballina {NZ}), was a Champion older horse in Australia being a dual Group 1 winner and winning up to 2500 metres. She produced Showcause (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) to win three cups races, the G2 City Of Auckland Cup, G2 Avondale Cup and the G3 New Zealand Cup.
So there is no doubt Torranzino is bred to stay, especially when you add the fact he is by Tarzino (NZ), a son of noted stamina influence Tavistock (NZ), and who himself won a G1 Victorian Derby and has sired the winners of the G1 South Australian Derby, New Zealand Derby and the G1 Queensland Oaks.
Azazel books a spot in the Derby
The Mark Walker-trained Azazel (NZ) (Shocking) proved the toughest stayer in the Listed Geelong Classic over 2200 metres on Thursday, digging deep to earn his place in the G1 Victoria Derby. The gelded son of Shocking produced a long, sustained run and stuck his head out when it counted, scoring by just under half a length from Highvol (Microphone) and Savisanta (NZ) (Savabeel), who flashed home late for third in an eye-catching effort.
Highvol set a sedate tempo under Mark Zahra, with the well-backed favourite Matsuda (Maurice {Jpn}) sitting handy. Michael Dee made the winning move at the 800-metre mark, launching three wide to put Azazel into contention at the top of the straight. The leaders kicked strongly, but Azazel sustained his run and proved too tough, leaving no excuses for the beaten brigade.
It was an ideal Derby trial - he showed genuine staying ability, and with a pedigree featuring Shocking and Tavistock (NZ), two proven age-group stamina influences, he’s doing exactly what he was bred to do, and doing it well.
The win took his record to two victories from only three career starts, including a solid fourth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes behind the talented Options (Impending).
Azazel (NZ) winning the Listed Geelong Classic | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Walker’s assistant Ben Gleeson was full of praise for the promising stayer, who will now press on to the G1 Victoria Derby.
“A big relief - he toughed it out. When I saw them slacken the pace and make it a sit-and-sprint, it was never going to suit this horse,” Gleeson said.
“Credit to Mick (Michael Dee) he took off at the right time, and the horse was gallant."
“Thrilled to get this win for OTI - our first stakes winner for them. They’ve given us two horses to work with, and to be heading towards a Derby is special. It’s rare that you map out a Derby path at the start of spring and everything goes smoothly, but that’s exactly how it’s been.
“He’ll love the 2500 metres of the Derby. We bought him with that profile in mind - a beautiful Shocking family. Hopefully we get a true staying test and a bit of rain around next Saturday; if there’s some give in the ground, he’ll be right in the finish.”
Sales info: Azazel was originally purchased by Game Lodge Ltd for $15,0000 at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale Book 2 from the Grangewilliam Stud draft. Then he was purchased by DC Ellis CNZM (Australia) and OTI for NZ$140,000 from the Riverrock Farm at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Azazel (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Pedigree info: Azazel is by the noted stamina influence Shocking, who himself won the G1 Melbourne Cup and has turned into a very solid stallion for Rich Hill Stud. He is out of the unplaced Tavistock (NZ) mare Alagant Angel (NZ), who is a half sister to the stakes placed Taroni (NZ (Showcasing {GB}), and is out of Alagant Satin (NZ) (Al Akbar), who was a classy filly that won the G2 Eight Carat Classic and the G3 Eulogy Stakes
On pedigree he looks to have every chance to run the 2500 metres right out in the Victorian Derby, when he heads that way in nine days time
Speed and class run deep in Naifah’s family
The impressive Hawkesbury winner Naifah (I Am Invincible) showed plenty of promise as a juvenile, having raced exclusively in stakes company across her three starts, including a runner-up finish behind Gin Spirit (Spirit Of Boom) in the Listed Cinderella Stakes at Morphettville back in February.
Originally raced by Emirates Park, Naifah was offered for sale at this year's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and found new connections who elected to send her to the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable.
Video: Watch race replay of Naifah, video courtesy of Racing NSW
The same team that train her star three-quarter-sister Charm Stone (I Am Invincible). The move paid immediate dividends, with Naifah producing a stylish first-up win over 1000 metres, scoring by just over two lengths under Tommy Berry.
There was solid early tempo from Fine Wine (Snitzel) and Barsandbi (Sandbar), allowing Berry to settle Naifah perfectly in third before unleashing her turn of foot at the 150 metres to put the race away with ease. Composed (Blue Point {Ire}) found the line nicely for second, while Sponars (Lucky Vega {Ire}) battled on for third.
The way Naifah delivered, she looks every bit a filly bound for bigger targets - and, in time, a highly valuable broodmare prospect for her new connections.
Naifah | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sales info: Naifah was purchased for $400,000 by Silverdale Farm and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Emirates Park draft at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale
Pedigree info: Naifah is by I Am Invincible and is the first foal out of Najmah (Snitzel), who was a two time winner on the track. Najmah is a half sister to the classy dual Group 1 winning sprinter Charm Stone (I Am Invincible), and the dual Listed winner Najmaty (I Am Invincible), making Naifah a three-quarter-sibling to these classy mares.
Naifah’s family has plenty of depth and her grandam Najoom (Northern Meteor), was successful in the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas and the G3 Fred Best Classic. This is also the extended family of the outstanding four-time Group 1 winner Criterion (NZ), the Group 1 winner Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock), and the Group 2 winning sprinter Varenna Miss (Redoute’s Choice)
Final Moment sharp late as she salutes in style
The promising Final Moment (Hanseatic) looked set to be a hard-luck story as Lachlan Neindorf was held up at the top of the short Mornington straight with nowhere to go, but it all ended well for the punters and connections as when she saw clear air she got the job done.
She settled in the trail, travelling comfortably as Gram (Exceed And Excel) set a solid enough tempo. Neindorf had to ride a patient race, and at the 150-metre mark he burst between runners, sprinting quickly to put the race to bed. The Clayton Douglas-trained filly recorded a soft win by just over a length in the manner of a filly with a bright future.
Final Moment had shown consistent form, finishing second and fourth in her first two starts in her first preparation, then a very good second at Sandown behind Proficient (Lonhro) earlier in the month.
She claimed deserved success at start number four. Douglas enjoyed a double on the day when the promising Tip Reward (Shamus Award) also saluted over 1500 metres with Jye McNeil in the saddle.
Clayton Douglas | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
On whether he was concerned she wouldn’t get a run in the straight, Douglas said:
“It’s always a good spot to be in the box seat, you just need to sweat on a run a little bit. She’s a nice filly and keeps improving each start.
“I still think there’s plenty of improvement in her - I’m looking forward to the future with her. I’ve always liked her, I think she’s city class, and I think she’ll get even better over a bit further.”
“It’s always a good spot to be in the box seat, you just need to sweat on a run a little bit. She’s a nice filly (Final Moment) and keeps improving each start.” - Clayton Douglas
Sales info: Final Moment was purchased by Clayton Douglas Racing for $60,000 from the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale from the Rosemont Stud draft.
Pedigree info: Final Moment is the first foal out of Lonhgoal (Lonhro), she was placed on the track, and her dam Becerra (Al Maher) was the winner of the Listed Morphettville Guineas, and ran second in the G1 Queensland Oaks.
Final Moment as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
It is the extended family of the outstanding Episode (Scenic {Ire}), she was successful in the G1 South Australian Oaks and the G1 Australasian Oaks. She went onto become an outstanding broodmare leaving the Champion Australian Female Sprinter First Seal (Fastnet Rock), who counted the G1 Surround Stakes among her six wins.
In recent years, Lonhgoal has left a Hanseatic 2-year-old filly, an Exceedance yearling filly, and is due to foal to Doull early next month.
