Mehzebeen (NZ) Makes Her Mark at Trentham Again

Previously a placegetter in the Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Mehzebeen (NZ) (Almanzor) returned to Trentham on Saturday and played another starring role with victory in the $120,000 Listed Valley D’Vine Restaurant Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m).

Mehzebeen was bought for $50,000 by Sarai Stud from Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where she was offered by her breeders Pencarrow Stud. Mehzebeen has now earned $556,218 from a 23-start career that has produced six wins and four placings.

Now a five-year-old, Mehzebeen was a star of the New Zealand Cup Carnival at Riccarton in November with a black-type double. The Almanzor mare led all the way to win the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) on November 9, then backed up a week later for a three-length romp in the Group Three New Zealand Cup (3200m).

She was subsequently unplaced in two appearances in Australia, but has quickly rediscovered her best form after returning home. On Saturday she added major staying prize to her collection.

Jockey Lily Sutherland pushed Mehzebeen forward from her wide gate, working across the front of the field to take up the lead beside the rail with just under a lap to go. Sutherland gave her mount a breather down the back of the track, and Mehzebeen settled into a smooth rhythm when others pushed forward to take over the pace.

The leader rolled off the fence around the home turn and Sutherland drove Mehzebeen through that gap, sprinting along the rail to take command. She opened up a clear lead and kept enough up her sleeve to hold out the strong-finishing Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) by a long neck.

“We got to the front fairly easily and she just cruised along,” Sutherland said. “We had an easy time down the back, then got a bit of cover after the others went forward. Once we got through along the rail in the straight, she quickened up really well. She has a good turn of foot. She’s a very good mare and I was lucky to be on her today. I’m very grateful to the Te Akau team.”

Co-trainer Mark Walker was impressed with Sutherland’s ride and Mehzebeen’s performance.

“It was a great win and a lovely ride by Lily,” he said. “It’s great to see Lily ride a stakes winner for the team. Even though she’s still an apprentice, she’s really proving herself in the jockey ranks.

“Things didn’t go right for Mehzebeen in Melbourne, but she’s come home, regrouped quickly, and added to her pedigree again today with another top stakes win. We’ll see how she pulls up, but the Rotorua Cup (Listed, 2200m) in May is a possibility.

“Even though the trip to Australia wasn’t successful, I feel that the big trip away has seen her come back so much more focused and tougher and that showed in the win today.”

The Hawke’s Bay Cup runner-up Nereus is also a Karaka graduate. He was offered by Ohukia Lodge at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale, where he was passed in. He has had 18 starts for six wins, seven placings and $418,541 in stakes.

Vendor	Pencarrow Stud
Purchaser	Sarai Stud (Waikato)
Breeding	Almanzor – Salkantay
Sale	Lot 88, Karaka 2021 Book 1, $50,000
Breeder	Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd
Owner	Sarai Stud, M & Y Davis, D & S Rolston, S Waddell, R & B Duncan, T & K Howe