Hazzabeel (NZ) Claims Kilmore Cup

Karaka graduate Hazzabeel (NZ) (Zabeel) demonstrated the power and staying prowess of the Kiwi breed when he scored an impressive victory in Sunday’s A$130,000 Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m).

Ridden by expat New Zealand apprentice Michael Dee, Hazzabeel came from off the pace and swooped around the outside of the field to lodge his bid. He raced clear down the straight to win by a length and three-quarters.

“He relaxed beautifully and worked into it stylishly,” Dee said. “I knew I had it won a long way out and he won with ease.”

Sunday’s win came in just his second start for trainer Ciaron Maher. Hazzabeel has had 17 starts overall for seven wins and a placing, earning A$307,300 in stakes. This was his second black-type win, having claimed the Group 3 R J Peters Stakes (1500m) in Perth in November 2015.

Bred by Valachi Downs owner Kevin Hickman, Hazzabeel is by the champion Kiwi staying sire Zabeel out of the Fantastic Light mare Miss Avalon. Hazzabeel is one of two stakes winners from Miss Avalon, the other being his younger half-brother Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City) – winner of the Group 1 Diamond Stakes and the Karaka Million, and New Zealand’s champion two-year-old of 2013-14.

Hazzabeel was offered by Valachi Downs at the 2012 Premier Sale, where he purchased for $180,000 by Gai Waterhouse and James Harron Bloodstock.