Snazzy and Kristov Snare First Group One Success

Te Rapa racecourse in Hamilton played host to the feature meeting in New Zealand on Saturday, with two Group 1 events.

New Zealand Bloodstock graduate Snazzy (Danske x Ballini) took home top honours in the Group 1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes (2000m). Ridden by Lisa Cropp, Snazzy fought gamely to defy Tusker (Volksraad x Stella Artois) and Kerry O'Reilly (O'Reilly x Pegarah), prevailing by a long neck.

Snazzy was sold by Mark and Shelley Treewek's Lyndhurst Farm at the 2003 Karaka Select Colt Sale where Wellington's Don Frampton paid $30,000 for the son of Danske. He was bred by the Georgetti family of Marton who have had a great run of late, including victory with home bred, Creil (Frenchpark x Fortiare) in the Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock Avondale Gold Cup. Snazzy is trained by Jeff Lynds of Newbury.

Snazzy became the first Group 1 winner for Danehill's sire son, Danske, who was well received at the recent National Yearling Sales and provided the top priced lot of the Festival Sale with his colt from Dance On Deck fetching $52,500 to the bid of John Foote.

The other highlight on the Te Rapa card was the Group 1 Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m), taken out by ultra-consistent galloper, Kristov (Slavic x Santa Barbra). Offered for Sale at New Zealand Bloodstock's Festival Sale, Kristov is trained by Phil Stevens at Matamata.

Boom three-year old, Darci Brahma (Danehill x Grand Echezeaux) started an odds on favourite, however under an inspired ride by Jason Waddell, Kristov was well rated to lead throughout, with Darci Brahma finishing well for second. Purchased for a Karaka Premier Sale topping $1.1 million in 2004, Darci Brahma will head to Melbourne for a tilt at the Gr.1 Australian Guineas. Third home was the Neville Couchman trained, Gee I Jane (Jahafil x Miss Distinction).

Meanwhile, Otago Racing Club at Wingatui played host to three stakes races, with the Listed Dunedin Cup (2400m) taken out by the John and Karren Parsons trained, Artax (Zabeel x Aulyn). A graduate of the 2000 Premier Yearling Sale, Artax was purchased for $80,000 by Peter Hurdle.

In the Listed Ford Champagne Stakes for two year olds, the highly rated, Udiditagain (D'Cash x Tio Iris) narrowly prevailed from impressive first starter, Brendel (O'Reilly x Negra Bunita), purchased for $34,000 by Paul Harris at November's Ready To Run Sale at Karaka.

Coup Entrepreneur (Entrepreneur x Chamela) was successful in the Listed Greenslades Investment Advisors Stakes Stakes (1400m), downing Ticklish (Maroof x French Kiss) and Coup Bloomsbury (Centaine x Winds Of Conquest).

A $42,000 purchase from the Select Colts Sale, Coup Entrepreneur was sold through the draft of Rodmor Stud and is raced by prominent owner, Ray Coupland.