Mehzebeen (NZ) All the Way in Metropolitan

Already a valuable proposition as a Group One placegetter, Karaka 2021 graduate Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor) added another string to her bow with a first black-type victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Listed Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) at Riccarton.

Mehzebeen was a $50,000 purchase by Sarai Stud from the Book 1 draft of breeders Pencarrow Stud. Her 18-race career has produced four wins, three placings and $244,010 in stakes.

Mehzebeen showed a glimpse of real quality as a three-year-old, storming home from last to run second in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m) behind the dual classic winner Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). She was unable to add any further black type to her record in the following 18 months, but struck more than her share of bad luck along the way including when badly blocked in the straight in last year’s Metropolitan.

But on Saturday the patience of her connections was rewarded with an all-important Listed win. Sent straight to the lead by jockey Sam Spratt, Mehzebeen dictated terms all the way and produced a fierce kick after rounding the home turn.

None of her rivals were able to make much headway down the straight, with runner-up Beavertown Boy (NZ) (Shocking) getting the closest and crossing the finish line half a length behind. There was another three and a quarter lengths back to third.

“She felt really good today,” Spratt said. “We drew gate one. I was originally planning to sit in the trail, but nothing else went forward, so I thought, ‘Bugger it, we’ll take up the lead ourselves.’ She tootled along and got pretty easy sectionals in front. It was like a track gallop.

“She kicked off the corner nicely. Halfway up the straight, I was waiting for another horse to come up to her and give her something to compete against. It was a very good win.”

Mehzebeen is trained by Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, who will run her in next Saturday’s $400,000 Group Three New Zealand Cup (3200m).

“Sam Spratt will win on anything at the moment, she’s in such good form,” Bergerson said. “It was a good, positive ride there. We probably didn’t expect her to lead, but she was very game and found a good kick at the top of the straight. It was a really good Cup trial.

“She’s a good mare and is in fantastic form. She was really stiff in this race last year, so she probably deserved that. Her Waverley Cup (2200m) run last start showed that she was on the right trajectory, and the step up in trip certainly suits. Bring on the 3200 metres next week.”