Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Cm grad Snazzytavi has seemingly flown through the grades this season, and the talented mare will prepare for another black-type target in Wednesday’s Holster Engineering Lally and Symes South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata.
The daughter of Tavistock has been near faultless through her preparation, building from a Rating 65 victory over 1400m in early December to a comprehensive win in the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, followed by a narrow third placing in the Listed Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) last month.
Stepping out over ground for the first time at Matamata last start, regular rider Warren Kennedy situated the mare back in the field throughout and her strong turn-of-foot was revealed in claiming the 2000m contest.
Snazzytavi will shoulder 57.5kg in the Matamata mid-week feature, with co-trainer Graham Richardson indicating Wednesday’s race will act as a hopeful prelude to the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m) at Trentham on April 6.
“The plan was to get back at her last start, as she was having her first time over ground and drawing wide, and they can tend to go hard early at Matamata,” he said.
“We decided to sit off the pace, and it was a very good effort to win.
“This race is a lead-up to the Manawatu Breeders’ all going well on Wednesday, and if the track is good down there. If it’s too wet, we’ll more than likely send her out and come back for the spring.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
