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It was yet another winning double on Sunday - following a winning double at Riccarton on Saturday - for Te Akau NZ trainer Jamie Richards ... Mazzuro first ...

“I knew he was better than that and he's one of my favourites,” said Te Akau racing manager Libby Richards, after Mazzuro  (5 g Rip Van Winkle - Mini Pearl, by Black Minnaloushe) strolled home in the $22,500 Legends Day 8^thFebruary On Sale Now Rating 65 2100 metres on Labour Day at Te Rapa.

“Michael (McNab) had been riding all his work and said he was a work in progress. It was so good and Mum & Dad (Paul and Leanne Richards) are very happy,” she added.

Owned by Bill & Sandra Duell, who raced multiple stakes performer and 12-time winner Natuzzi (Coats Choice) with Paul Richards, Mazzuro had campaigned very well as a three-year-old in Melbourne, winning twice to 2100 metres with a second and third from four starts, and following a quiet four-year-old season he has returned to winning form. 

“It was a good tough win and I'm really pleased for Bill and Sandra,” said trainer Jamie Richards, of their family friends. “We've had absolutely no luck. He had a chip removed from a hind fetlock after campaigning as an autumn three-year-old in Melbourne, and he's just taken a while to come up.

“As he gets a bit deeper into his preparation I think we can start to have a bit of fun with him.”

Patiently ridden on the inner and gaining a nice spot (sixth) getting to the 600m, Mazzuro ranged on straightening with plenty to offer, lead at the 300m, and won easing down by two and a half lengths after looking in charge a furlong out. 

“That's much more like him and he seems to be improving all the time,” McNab said. “He was relaxed and won very well.”

On Dead4 footing, Mazzuro ran the 2100 metres in 2:11.2, last 600m in 35, and paid $5.40 & $2.30 on the NZ TAB tote. Atop the premiership table, it was the 26^thwin this season for Richards.

“I thought Michael gave him a lovely ride and never looked to be in trouble at any stage,” he said. “He travelled well, got off the fence at the right time, used his stick in the left-hand and got him to change legs. He'd been guilty of coming up the straight on the wrong leg, so I was glad to see him change legs today and quicken in to win well. 

“He should have a nice summer in front of him and it's a real credit to the staff at home that has done a great job while I've been travelling, and deserve the recognition.”

From a classy family, his dam Mini Pearl (Black Minnaloushe) was a stakes' winner that recorded seven victories to 2000 metres and grand-dam Another Pearl (Pompeii Court) won four times before becoming a good producer.

Mazzuro was strapped by Kate Belsham.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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