Big Carnival Double for Mehzebeen (NZ)

Karaka graduate Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor) was one of the standout performers of the 2024 New Zealand Cup Carnival, winning two black-type staying races including Saturday’s iconic $400,000 Group Three Martin Collins 161st New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton.

Mehzebeen was a $50,000 purchase from the Book 1 draft of breeders Pencarrow Stud at Karaka 2021. She has now earned $474,010, with five wins and three placings from a 19-start career.

Runner-up in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) as a three-year-old, Mehzebeen endured a lean 18 months after that and struck more than her share of bad luck. But she turned things around with a first black-type win in last Saturday’s Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m), and on Saturday she went back-to-back with an even better performance in the Cup.

Mehzebeen cruised around the track in fourth and one off the rail for jockey Craig Grylls, then showcased her stamina and class in the straight. Grylls asked her to accelerate and she changed gears, drawing away to win by three lengths.

“That was a big performance,” Grylls said. “The plan was to get a bit of cover, and we managed to do that quite quickly. She just travelled so well throughout. Coming up to the turn, I thought that all she would have to do to get them all off the bridle would be to just quicken up a little bit, and she did. She won easily in the end.”

Mehzebeen is trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson.

“This is a massive thrill,” Bergerson said. “It’s one of the iconic races in New Zealand racing, so it means a lot to have our names on the trophy.

“Thanks to all of our team, both at Matamata and down here. The start of her prep didn’t quite go to plan, but she’s just improved, improved and improved.

“That win last week gave us the confidence to press on into today. She’s absolutely thrived and bounced through the run on the first day, and then she came out and was really strong through the line.

“There are plenty of nice Cup races coming up, both here and in Australia. The further, the better is what we’ve always believed with her. She’s just taken a bit of time and hasn’t always had the rub of the green.

“She was sourced at Karaka by Danny Rolston, who’s obviously a fantastic judge. He bought her for some keen owners and small-time breeders. They’ll all be over the moon with this result.

“It’s been quite a ride with her, a lot of ups and downs, but days like today make it all worthwhile.”

Runner-up Beavertown Boy (NZ) (Shocking) was a $67,500 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2018. He has had 15 starts for four wins, three placings and $147,015 in stakes.

Vendor	Pencarrow Stud
Purchaser	Sarai Stud (Waikato)
Breeding	Almanzor – Salkantay
Sale	Lot 88, Karaka 2021 Book 1, $50,000
Bred by	Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd