Byzantine Wins Back to Back

Although burdened with 60 kilos, Byzantine  (4 g Savabeel - Baradevi, by Volksraad) carried on his winning way in the $11,000 Te Puke and Mt Maunganui New World Rating 72 1300 metres on 2 January at Tauranga.

Remaining in the same grade after showing good acceleration to record a deserved victory in the Rating 72 1200 metres on 11 December at Hastings, running the fastest last 600m (34.1) on the day, Byzantine appeared ideally placed to race well again and vied for favouritism ($3.20 & $1.60) in a field of five.

“He got a lovely run in the race, drawn the outside but a small field,” said racing manager Libby Richards. “He won well last start at Hawkes Bay, and we were really happy with him. Weight was a question mark but he ran to the line well.

“He's putting together a really good record. He's been a bit difficult at home, so it's nice to see him get a win for the team.”

Notching his fourth win from 11 starts for the Te Akau 2017 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Byzantine was effectively in the perfect position outside the leader, given the overall time (1:19.3) suggested a sedentary pace for the 1300 metres before quickening home in a slick 33.5 for the last 600m. 

“We didn't really have a plan going into the race, just wanted to see how he jumped away and the speed in the race,” Bosson said. “We were in a great spot. He's a handy horse that's had a few issues along the way. I think he's starting to come right. He's a lot happier within himself and racing like that, too.”

By five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), his grand-dam, Sharvasti (Montjeu), won the Avondale Cup (Gr. 1, 2200m) and finished second in two other Group One races, while third dam, Vedodara (Kreisler) won the Hawkes Bay Guineas (Listed, 1400m) and finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

“It was great to see Byzantine back up and win again in the same grade, and it's never easy when they have to carry 60 kilos,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “Opie (Bosson) summed it up pretty quickly and the horse is going really well. 

“He's got a fantastic bunch of owners and I think he's got more wins in him, yet. I bought the horse at Karaka off Jim Barlow, who breeds from a terrific family and a very loyal supporter of Te Akau. Sam Williams at Little Avondale prepared him for the sale and Sam is also a very good supporter of ours. 

“It's a great time for our racing team and prior to Byzantine winning we'd had 10 wins in 48 hours. Jamie (Richards) trained half the card when we had four winners at Taupo (Dec. 30), and three yesterday in New Zealand at Ellerslie and Hastings, and three in Singapore. 

“Jamie is leading the premiership with 62 wins for the season, at a strike rate of just over 5, and you don't get these sorts of results unless every part of the team is working well. It's a spotlight time for New Zealand racing and I'm thrilled to see the Te Akau horses racing so well.”

Through the same draft (Little Avondale Stud), Barlow is offering a brother (Lot 451) to Byzantine in January at the Karaka 2020 Book 1 Sale. 

Byzantine was strapped by Trevor Stewart.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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