The Puzzle Masters Them

Improving on his debut second, Puzzle Master (3 g Rubick – One Mansini, by Nicconi) won the $18,500 Waipa Earthworks Maiden 3YO 1300 metres on 3 October at Cambridge.

After quickening well to grab a trial win on the course in early September, Puzzle Master debuted strongly when making ground late into second behind stable-mate Cantatrice in the Maiden 970 metres on 18 September at Cambridge, and rated a top three chance stepping up in distance.

With stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM aboard, Puzzle Master began well to secure a lovely trip in fourth on the outer, was off the bit for a time when the pace increased at the 500m, but he picked up under urging and went on to score with a well timed run. 

On the poly-track, Puzzle Master ran 1300 metres 1:17.9 and justified his red hot $1.40 tote price on the NZ TAB.

“He looked a bit flat coming into the corner, but he really picked up nicely and it was a good win in the end,” said Mark Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson. 

“We had a few foot problems with him as a younger horse, but he’s come a long way in this preparation and he’s starting to put it all together now that he is maturing. 

“The team at the Colt Barn have done a good job with him, managed his feet really well, and now that he’s won, we will more than likely give him a break to let him mature a bit more.

“He’s obviously shown ability to two race starts for a second and a first, and I think we can look forward to him proving competitive up in grade over the summer period.”

Owned by the Te Akau Rubicon Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Puzzle Master was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $80,000, from the draft of Beaufort Downs, at the Karaka 2023 Book 1 Sale.

By Rubick, a fast son of Encosta de Lago (Fairy King) that won twice as a two-year-old, including the Blue Diamond Prelude (Gr. 3, 1100m) and again at three in the Schillaci Stakes (Gr. 2, 1000m), the dam of Puzzle Master, One Massini, was a dual winner to 1400 metres in Australia, by proven sire and broodmare sire Nicconi (Bianconi). 

Nicconi is also the sire of incomparable sprinter Nature Strip, winner of 22 races and $20 million prize money.

The sire of A$13 million Everest (1200m) winner Yes Yes Yes, who went to stud in 2020 at Coolmore Australia, Rubick is also the sire of dual Group One winner Jacquinot and previously finished top 10 on the Leading Australian General Sires' List. 

The Leading Second Season Sire and Sire of 3YOs in Australia, Rubick has been a consistent sire of winners, with 740 wins to his credit, including 20 stakes' wins. 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “He’s a strongly built colt with plenty of size and scope and possesses a lovely attitude.”

Puzzle Master was strapped by Kohen Collett. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz