Saturday summary: Lazzura defies the weight to triumph in the Coolmore

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Lazzura brave and bold in the Coolmore Classic

The Chris Waller-trained Lazzura (Snitzel) gave nothing else an excuse in the G1 Coolmore Classic, providing her trainer with a fourth consecutive victory in the race and a third in a row for James McDonald.

Three-year-old Savvy Hallie (Hellbent), who started favourite, flew out of her wide gate to take the lead under Nash Rawiller, while Jenni The Fox (Too Darn Hot {GB}) ensured the tempo was strong sitting just off her.

The pace was hectic, suggesting the swoopers might come into play, and so it proved. McDonald peeled Lazzura to the outside and set out after the leaders. If anything she hit the front a little early, but carrying the top weight of 58 kilograms, momentum proved crucial. No mare has carried more weight to win the race since the mighty Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) carried 60kg back in 2002.

Lazzura held on gamely to score by just under half a length from the brave Arctic Glamour (Frosted {USA}), with Vivy Air (Hellbent) close-up in third.

McDonald now needs just one more Group 1 victory to equal the Australian record held by the now-retired Damien Oliver - a milestone he could reach very quickly with the quality of rides he gets every week.

A humble McDonald said the record was far from his mind and instead praised Lazzura’s determination.

"It's a funny feeling because 'Ollie' (Damien Oliver) is so great, I don't feel like I should be in that echelon just yet," McDonald said.

"I feel very privileged to be in the position where I'm getting there slowly. It wasn't me, it was her just really biting down on the mouthguard and having a really decent crack.

"I thought she was all-out with one hundred metres to go, but that will to find the line, it's something you can't teach them, you can't train in them."

Lazzura had previously been placed at the highest level when runner-up in last year’s G1 Surround Stakes. Waller was thrilled to see her toughness rewarded.

"We had her a bit underdone first-up and rode her a pair too close. Today, we didn't panic from the draw. We went back, got cover three-wide," Waller said.

"I thought, following that run last start, you're going to fold up that last hundred, but she was strong. Well deserved. She has been running around against some very good horses without a lot of luck going her way."

Waller will consult with Lazzura’s owners before confirming her next target, which is likely to be either the G1 Doncaster Mile or the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

"I've got a philosophy that horses don't just win one Group One. If they're good enough to win one, they normally win two or three," he said.

Sales info: Lazzura was purchased by B2B Thoroughbreds for $500,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pedigree info: Lazzura is out of the Japanese-bred Laguna Azzurra (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who was a winner over 1800 metres in Japan. She has left three foals to race and all have been winners, and aside from producing Lazzura, she has left the smart juvenile Portorosa (Not A Single Doubt) who has also been placed at Listed level.

Laguna Azzurra, in recent times, has left a 3-year-old colt by The Autumn Sun, a yearling filly by Snitzel who sells at this years Inglis Australian Yearling Sale as Lot 383 from the Arrowfield Stud draft, a colt foal by Farnan, and she was served by Switzerland last spring.

The class of Sixties shines through

The saying goes that Group 1 form is good form, and that proved true as the classy colt Sixties (Flying Artie) was dominant in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes for James McDonald.

The victory was the ninth in the race for champion trainer Chris Waller - though interestingly his first with a colt - and Sixties continues to build a profile as a genuine stallion prospect.

McDonald jumped well to settle Sixties outside the pacemaker Shangri La Boy (Pierro), while West Of Swindon (Wootton Bassett {GB}) enjoyed the one-one but raced a little keenly.

Shangri La Boy kicked strongly on straightening, but Sixties quickly travelled up alongside him and, when asked for an effort at the 200 metres, put the race to bed. He defeated the fast-finishing Federalist (I Am Invincible) by just over half a length, with Cellarmaster (NZ) (Bivouac) running a game third.

“Things didn’t really work out in the Australian Guineas, like today, he’s had bad draws and it just makes it harder. I think his best win was when we rode him quiet, but today, short price favourite, we’ve got three weeks into the Doncaster I thought ‘oh well we’ll try you up again on the speed,” said Waller.

“Ideally in the Doncaster Mile we’ll ride him more conservatively.

“He’s got to go to a new level in the Doncaster, but he’s very well weighted.”

McDonald was equally impressed with the colt’s performance.

“He would be a lot better off (being a bit further back in the run), but obviously he’s a classy horse, he’s just come on leaps and bounds from each run he’s had and he’s a gorgeous colt to boot,” he said.

“Ridden a bit quieter you’d really see a lethal performance. Obviously it was a bit tradesmanlike today but there’s room to improve.

“He travelled really comfortably. He’s just so honest, you can’t teach that. He’s got the heart of a lion.”

Sales info: Sixties was sold by Vinery Stud at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Sixties was a $350,000 purchase for ARAMCO Racing.

Pedigree info: As well as being a full to dual Group 1 winner and stallion Artorius, Sixties is out of Gracie’s Lass (Redoute’s Choice), a half-sister to G1 Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal {USA}) out of Listed-winning and Group 1-performed Grace And Power (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}).

The current 2 year-old from Gracie’s Lass is another exciting stakes prospect in Home Affairs filly Jacaranda, who has been a winner and ran fifth at stakes level at her last two starts.

Anthony Freedman Racing and Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA) bought Sixties’ Pinatubo (Ire) half-brother at this year’s Magic Millions sale for $120,000. Gracie’s Lass had a colt by Pierata in the spring, before visiting Toronado (Ire).

Salty Pearl dominates in the VOBIS Platinum Guineas

The classy Ciaron Maher-trained Salty Pearl (Tagaloa) produced a dominant display in the $500,000 VOBIS Platinum Guineas for 3-year-olds at Caulfield on Saturday.

The striking grey, ridden by John Allen, proved far too strong for her rivals, pulling away late to score by just under three lengths from fellow grey Silvasista (Toronado {Ire}), while Wetumpka (Alabama Express) ran a brave race to finish a further length and a half away in third.

Salty Pearl travelled sweetly throughout and, once Allen asked her to quicken, the result was never in doubt.

"She was always in control," stable representative Jack Turnbull said.

"The blinkers made her travel and she took John everywhere and when he asked her to poke into a hole at about the 450 (metres), she was there straight away.

"That's when you knew she was going to be there for a long way and in the straight they spanned wide and they were coming from everywhere, but her class shone through.

"It's the second time we've backed her up for a second victory. We had to go back from the draw last start, and we thought her run was huge, but we were beaten by a classy filly.

"She's very consistent and building a fantastic record."

Turnbull said the stable could consider an interstate trip depending on how the filly pulls up, although they remain mindful not to overtax her.

However, he indicated she was unlikely to step beyond 1600 metres.

"You could have the Queen Of The Turf Stakes which would be the top of the tree otherwise if she was in the right frame of mind and physically okay, you could possibly look at a Carbine as well," Turnbull said.

"We're conscious of where we want to get to and what she has done, but it's good options to have.

"I think that's her trip. Again, you could float the idea and try (a longer trip), but she's very effective at this distance and I don't think we need to change."

Sales info: Salty Pearl was sold by Sullivan Bloodstock at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $75,000 to Starblue Consultancy and Ciaron Maher Racing.

Pedigree info: Salty Pearl is one of three foals to race for the 2-year-old winning Sebring mare Leaven Of Malice, who is a half-sister to G3 winner Mildred (Hinchinbrook). It is also the immediate family of Group 1 Salinger Stakes winner Notoire (Export Price).

Leaven Of Malice has a 2-year-old filly by Nicconi, before she was retired from broodmare duties.

Flying For Fun makes a flying return

The Bryce Heys-trained Flying For Fun (Spieth) had already proven herself a big improver last campaign, stepping up from rating races to perform strongly in Melbourne. She finished third in the G3 Begonia Belle Stakes behind New York Lustre (Manhattan Rain), before competing admirably when eighth in the VRC Sprint Classic behind Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).

She later returned to Sydney and captured the Listed Starlight Stakes at Rosehill Gardens, and on Saturday she resumed in impressive fashion, claiming the G3 Maurice McCarten Stakes under a masterful ride from Zac Lloyd.

Flying For Fun travelled comfortably throughout, settling three back on the rail behind a solid speed set by Mal Coupe (Xtravagant {NZ}) and Don’t Hope Do (So You Think {NZ}).

Turning for home the leaders gave a good kick, but once Lloyd extricated his mount at around the 250-metre mark the result looked inevitable. The promising daughter of Spieth surged through to score by just under half a length from the brave Mal Coupe, while King’s Secret (Shalaa {Ire}) ran on strongly to finish third.

Stable representative Tammy Blair said the fact Heys had trained both Flying For Fun's sire, Spieth, and her dam, Vol Prive (Sebring), added another level of satisfaction to every win.

"We're very happy. We had mum and dad, so this makes it that little bit special," she said.

Lloyd praised her effort in putting away a handy field and said Flying For Fun had improved noticeably since her most recent preparation.

"She's come back super," Lloyd said.

"Much more mature and stronger. For her to do that first-up, that was a pretty strong Maurice McCarten, and she's done it really nice."

Connections have yet to lock in a definitive autumn target, but Lloyd believes her improved tractability has broadened the options.

"I'm sure Bryce will find a good option for her, but she's so tractable now.

"She can come from right up on the speed, or just off the speed. It definitely opens a lot of doors."

Sales info: Flying For Fun was bred by Mr M O’Keeffe, and is raced by him alongside Ms V J King.

Pedigree info: Flying For Fun is the first and sadly the only foal out of Vol Prive, she was placed on the track and comes from a strong international family that includes the German Group 1 winner Empoli (Ger) (Halling {USA}), and the French and English Group-winner Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).