He’s A Doozy (NZ) Triumphs in Coupland’s Mile

Lisa Latta has long rated her Karaka 2019 purchase He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto) as a top-liner in the making, and the Awapuni trainer got her wish with a superb win in Wednesday’s $250,000 Group Three Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton.

Bought by Latta for $70,000 from Phoenix Park’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2019, He’s A Doozy has now earned $304,075 from a 20-start, seven-win career.

The Coupland’s Mile was always the main spring target for the five-year-old, who warmed up for it with a second at Te Rapa and a victory in last month’s Group Three Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.

He’s A Doozy went up from 53.5 to 56 kilograms for Wednesday’s showpiece, but he mastered it in style.

Ridden positively by Kozzi Asano, He’s A Doozy sat just behind the pace before pouncing at the top of the home straight with a classy turn of foot.

Kick On (NZ) (Per Incanto) provided a late scare with a strong challenge through the final stages, but He’s A Doozy had enough up his sleeve to hold on by a half-neck.

“The way the track was going, the middle part of the track was the best place to be – the inside was a bit off,” Asano said. “The leader rolled off, so I got out. I thought I may have got to the front too early, but he was too good.

“Thank you to the owners and Lisa for letting me stick with this horse. I’m pleased to get the job done.”

With his spring preparation going perfectly to plan, Latta will now take her time in formulating future plans.

“Kozzi rode him beautifully today,” Latta said. “He was a touch handier than he normally would be, and he just did it easily.

“He’s been a bit quirky at times and used to over-race, but I think now he is getting up in the grades and they run along a lot better he gets the chance to settle.

“He will have a week in the paddock now. We set him for this race and everything has gone to plan, so we’ll get him home and have a good think about things.”

He’s A Doozy was bred by the Dennis Brothers and comes from their iconic family. His dam is a three-quarter-sister to multiple Group One winner and star broodmare The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly), and his pedigree page also features superstars The Phantom (NZ) (Noble Bijou), The Phantom Chance (NZ) (Noble Bijou) and more than a dozen other stakes winners with the ‘The’ prefix.

Vendor	Phoenix Park
Purchaser	Lisa Latta Racing (Manawatu)
Breeding	Zacinto – The Dewdrop
Sale	Lot 466, Karaka 2019 Book 1, $70,000
Bred by	A G, K J, M C & P R Dennis