Matamata Double - Mazzucato Marvellous

Ending her previous campaign with solid efforts in stakes races, Mazzucato (4 m Tivaci – Yellen, by Pentire) resumed with a comprehensive victory in the $18,500 Comag Rating 65 1400 metres on 13 September at Matamata.

Having finished powerfully when winning the 3YO 1400 metres during Cup Week, last November, at Riccarton, Mazzucato continued good course form when closing for fourth in the NZB Insurance Stakes (Listed, 1600m) and ended her season following the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m).

Remaining on the bridle when running on strongly for second in a trial on 3 September at Cambridge (poly-track), Mazzucato, who had won twice over 1400 metres, rated a top three chance.

Making it two from two on the day for trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, stable rider Opie Bosson, who won earlier aboard Court Of Appeal (Eminent), was keen to situate handily aboard Mazzucato, but received a mid-race shuffle to seventh, seven lengths 600m, before circling wide, quickening to lead 200m out and raced clear for a soft win.

Easing down at the line to win by one and a quarter lengths, Mazzucato ran 1400 metres in 1:26.2, last 600m in 37.7, on footing that remained Soft7 throughout the meeting, and paid $3.70 & $1.70 as race favourite on the NZ TAB tote. 

“She has definitely strengthened up for her break and it was a really good win today,” Walker said.

“It was good ride of Opie’s and the owners have been nice and patient with this mare. Now she’s stronger, it showed today the way she rounded the race off that she’s in for a good season.

“There were a lot of positives to be taken from the performance and onwards and upwards.”

Mazzucato was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $120,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Carlaw Park, a direct descendant of Easter Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Honor Bound (Honor Grades).

“She did pretty well in stakes races to end her previous season as a three-year-old, and I thought she trialled well at Cambridge, when Wiremu (Pinn) was sitting quietly and she finished second,” Ellis said.

“Although she’d been competitive against some of the best fillies of her age, it was very encouraging the way that she won and Opie had it sewn up a fair way out.

“It just shows how much these fillies can come on physically between three and four years of age, and you’d have to say she could win more races on that performance.

“She was a beautiful walking filly when we bought her at Karaka, and we’d been impressed with the progeny of Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci.

“She’s out of a Pentire mare that won four races, including three in a row in proper city class races in Melbourne, and the second dam left Alibi (Darci Brahma), a top horse in Singapore.”

There is plenty of quality on the dam side, with third dam Honor Bound (Honor Grades) winning the Easter Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m), impressing from 1200m – 1600m, before leaving eight individual winners as a broodmare.

Mazzucato carries bloodline crosses of top sires: Sadler’s Wells, Northern Dancer, and Danzig.  

Mazzucato was strapped by Cooper Stumbles. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz