$9,000 Purchase Natuzzi (NZ) Cracks Half-Million Barrier

Natuzzi (NZ) (Coats Choice) was bought at the South Island Sale for just $9,000, but he won his sixth black-type race in Saturday’s Group 3 $70,000 J.A. Russell Ltd Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie and passed $500,000 in prize-money earnings.

The eight-year-old gelding came with a ferocious late charge in the straight for a last-gasp victory in the sprint feature, scoring by a neck. It was his 11th win from 40 career starts and took his earnings to $508,542.

“He’s a very good horse and we’re so happy for his connections that he’s won again today,” co-trainer Peter Williams said.

Natuzzi had previously won the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m), the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m), the Listed J Swap Contractors Sprint (1400m) and two runnings of the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). He has also recorded Group 1 placings in the Telegraph (1200m), Railway (1200m), NRM Sprint (1400m) and Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m).

Natuzzi was bred by S E & Mrs S J McGiffert. He is raced by Bill and Sandra Duell.

Natuzzi was sold at the 2010 South Island Sale of 2YOs & Mixed Bloodstock, where he was offered by Three Valleys and was bought by Mr LR Beckett for $9,000.