Karaka Graduate Lady Zafira (NZ) Claims Pegasus Stakes

Lady Zafira (NZ) (Iffraaj), who was purchased for only $7,500 as a yearling at Karaka, greatly enhanced her value with her first black-type win in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed Yesberg Insurance Services Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton.

Ridden by Mark Du Plessis for Hastings trainer John Bary, Lady Zafira went back in the field early in the race before sprinting strongly down the straight to win by a length and a quarter in the quick time of 55.87 seconds.

“She was impressive today,” Du Plessis said. “I asked the owners if I could ride her cold, and I think that’s the best way to ride her. She won very well with only 53 kilograms on her back and I think she’ll take a lot of confidence from this.”

Lady Zafira is out of the Lord Ballina mare Mary Robinson (NZ), who is a sibling to four individual stakes winners.

Bred by Mrs M A Wallace, Lady Zafira was offered by Ardsley Stud at the 2012 Select Sale where she was bought by Waterford Racing for $7,500.

The mare has now had 23 starts for five wins, 12 placings and $99,535 in stakes – more than 13 times her purchase price.

In addition to Saturday’s Listed win, she has also been placed in the Listed Rotorua Stakes (1400m).