Another Trentham Triumph for He’s A Doozy (NZ)

Trentham has been the scene of many highlights in the career of He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto), who returned to the Wellington track and delivered again in Saturday’s 200,000 Group Two Intowin.co.nz Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m).

Bought for $70,000 by trainer Lisa Latta from Phoenix Park’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2019, He’s A Doozy has now had 54 starts for 11 wins, nine placings and $821,025 in stakes – almost 12 times his purchase price.

Seven of those 11 victories have come at Trentham, and the Awapuni Gold Cup was the third time He’s A Doozy has won a Group race on the track nicknamed the champagne turf. He had previously taken out the Group Three Thompson Handicap (1600m) in October of 2022 and the Group One Thorndon Mile (1600m) in January of 2023.

Now an eight-year-old and in his sixth season of racing, He’s A Doozy has lost none of his class and competitiveness. Although the Awapuni Gold Cup was his first win of the season, his seven previous starts this term had produced two seconds including the Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m), two thirds, and fourth placings in the Thompson Handicap and the Group Three Trentham Stakes (2100m).

He was right at the peak of his powers again on Saturday. After taking up a position in second on the outside of the front-running Knights Realm (NZ) (Castledale), jockey Kelly Myers pushed the button at the home turn and He’s A Doozy pounced. He dashed two and three lengths clear within the space of a few powerful strides early in the home straight, and despite the chasers eating into that advantage late in the piece, he still had a length and a quarter up his sleeve at the finish line.

“I was really happy with our spot, he’s the sort of horse that just likes to roll along on his own,” Myers said.

“He was nice and relaxed and I could see the leader was under pressure on the turn, while we still had plenty of petrol left.

“We were in the right spot and he was good enough to keep kicking strongly to the line.

“I was feeling confident, because I couldn’t hear anyone, but not too far off the post he felt like he went to pump the brakes.

“I thought something might divebomb us, but I knew they would have to be coming pretty quick. Full credit to the horse, he deserved this.”

Latta revealed that Saturday’s win had some added significance for He’s A Doozy’s large ownership group.

“He is such a stable favourite, and this is a really emotional win because Neville Thompson (part-owner) passed away three weeks ago,” Latta said. “Neville just loved this horse.

“It’s great to get another win today. He looked fantastic and his work was as good as ever on Wednesday.

“He just loves Wellington, he got left alone and everything just went his way.”

The Awapuni Gold Cup produced a trifecta for Karaka graduates, with He’s A Doozy chased home by Opawa Jack (NZ) (War Decree) and Crouch (NZ) (Tarzino).

White Robe Lodge offered Opawa Jack in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where Paul Willetts bought him for $40,000. The Chrissy Bambry-trained gelding has earned $283,400 from a 44-race career that has featured eight wins and 13 placings.

Crouch, meanwhile, was bought by trainer Mike Breslin for $20,000 from the Book 2 draft of Mapperley Stud at Karaka 2022. He has had 33 starts for six wins, six placings and $352,155.

Vendor	Phoenix Park
Purchaser	Lisa Latta Racing (Manawatu)
Breeding	Zacinto – The Dewdrop
Sale	Lot 466, Karaka 2019 Book 1, $70,000
Breeder	A G, K J, M C & P R Dennis
Owner	M Schirnack, N & A Thompson, S Platt, J & S Dunnett, M McNeill, S Dais, P Shearer, L Purvis, K McHugh, D Masters, S Edgerton, E Tomlins & W Dixon