Fazzle triumphs in Breeders’ Stakes

21st Nov 2011

The Moira Murdoch & Dominic Olson-trained Fazzle (NZ) (Johar) came from well back in the field to claim the Group Two NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1400m) at Counties on Saturday.

Under a cool ride from in-form hoop Vinnie Colgan, Fazzle (NZ) swooped late to claim Casabella Lane (NZ) (Volksraad), with Appiel (Singspiel) in third.

The winner of 5 from 18 starts prior to Saturday, Fazzle (NZ) had finished sixth in this event last year and produced an eye catching run when a close up seventh behind Magic Briar (NZ) (Thorn Park) at Ellerslie earlier this month.

“Vinnie rode her absolutely beautifully,” a delighted Moira Murdoch said. 

“This is what we set her for. I thought this race suited her the best of all the options this year and we’ve pulled it off.”

“I actually thought she needed one more run heading into the race, but she’s a little bit like that – she’s better on the way up.”

A tilt at the Group One Blandford Lodge Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day looks the most likely assignment for the daughter of Johar (Gone West).  “We have to have a look at our options but we do have her in the Railway so we might freshen her up for that.”

The victory was the third on the program for rider Vinnie Colgan who had earlier tasted success with Villifye (NZ) (O’Reilly) and It Has To Be You (NZ) (Volksraad).

“They were going very fast down the back, so I was quite happy to get back in the field, doing no work,” Colgan said. “Obviously when I clicked her up she was all there turning for home. I got into a little bit of trouble coming around the bend, but then I was on the back end of Banchee and she brought me into it. 

A daughter of Johar, Fazzle (NZ) was bred by Auckland’s Faye Torrance, who also races the five-year-old mare. 

Torrance successfully raced Fazzle’s dam Eftee One (NZ) (Volksraad). Trained by Richard Dee, Eftee One (NZ) was the winner of three races and finished fourth in the Group One Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes won by Maroofity (NZ) (Maroof) and second in the Group Two Eight Carat Classic won by Kainui Belle (NZ) (Kashani).