Going the distance

In the space of nine weeks, two closely related performers have taken out the first two 3200–metre cup races for the current New Zealand season, the New Zealand Cup (Gr 3, 3200m) and the Wellington Cup (Gr 3, 3200m).
In November it was New Zealand Cup victress Mehzebeen (Almanzor). She showed staying form at three when finishing second in the 2023 New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) behind Pennyweka (Satono Aladdin) who then made a lightning raid on Sydney, snaring the prized Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) as well.
Five-year-old Mehzebeen found her best form last November when scoring back-to-back wins in the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed, 2600m) on day one of the New Zealand Cup carnival, then was just as effective seven days later in the New Zealand Cup itself. Last month, Mehzebeen was sent across to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne stable, presumably to be readied for some stouter Australian assignments.
Her close relation, six-year-old Wolfgang (Puccini), stepped up in Saturday’s Wellington Cup (Gr 3, 3200m) adding win seven in a 42 start career. His latest win was almost as clear cut as Mehzebeen’s, yet more dramatic. Joe Doyle had him third–last at the 600 metres and they were clearly the widest rounding into the home straight. From the 350 metres he sprinted hard and approaching the 200 metres was already alongside the leader. Once in front there was no stopping him and Doyle merely had to keep him straight.
Winless in eight starts at two, he recorded a Group 3 third and a Listed race second. At three he raced three times but did not salute the judge for the first time until August as a four-year-old on the synthetic track at Cambridge, his 12th start. The following January and February he added wins at Trentham and Hastings.
A solitary win, at Ellerslie, in 11 starts as a five-year-old gave little indication of his current form. This season got off to a flying start with back-to-back wins at Hastings and Matamata before a two-start campaign in Victoria. Racing as Mister Wolfgang he finished sixth in the Herbert Power Stakes (Gr 2, 2400m) then fourth in the Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m).
Less than two weeks after arriving home he ran a solid if unconvincing second in the Balmerino Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) on Melbourne Cup day at Ellerslie. With no let up, three starts on he was tried from the rear and stormed home for a solid second in the Manawatu Cup (Gr 3, 2300m).
The left-handed way of going back at Trentham on Saturday seems to be his preference. He relished the patient come from behind tactics and is in the best form of his life. His owners are now looking at the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m).
Wolfgang and Mehzebeen share the same granddam. His dam Navy Beach (Darci Brahma) was twice a winner and ranks as a three-quarter sister to Listed winner Don Garcia (Danehill). Navy Beach and Mehzebeen’s dam, Salkantay (Zabeel), are half-sisters.
Like Darci Brahma (Danehill), Don Garcia was purchased by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $1.05 million at the 2005 NZB Karaka Premier Yearling Sale. Part of the reason for Ellis’s big outlay was that Don Garcia represented the final southern hemisphere crop of highly influential sire Danehill (Danzig). Don Garcia’s half-sister is Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) winner Te Akau Coup (Thorn Park). Given that Mehzebeen is trained by Te Akau Racing there is something of a solid history with Ellis and this family.
Wolfgang also went through the Karaka sales ring in 2020 but failed to reach his reserve. Breeder Simms Davison of Mapperley Stud kept a share in the horse whose earnings now exceed $540,000. Prior to Saturday’s race, Wolfgang had recorded four black type placings so he was due a breakthrough at some point. He seems better with maturity and his sire Puccini (Encosta De Lago), despite winning the New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m), raced as until he was six.
One of the big names on the pedigree page when Don Garcia was sold was none other than the great Seattle Slew (Bold Reasoning). Don Garcia’s third dam Clandestina was magnificently bred, by the incomparable Secretariat (Bold Ruler) from My Charmer (Poker), making her a half-sister to the 1977 US Horse of the Year. Seattle Slew won 14 of 17 starts including the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f).
Oaks trail
Although the distance of Saturday’s Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes was run over 1600 metres, connections of the winner, Leica Lucy (Derryn), are already looking ahead two months and a step up in distance for the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) and it is not difficult to understand why.
In four starts she has recorded three wins and her last two have made quite an impression. Not seen as a two-year-old, Leica Lucy made her debut a winning one at New Plymouth on November 6. Shuffled back to second–last prior to straightening, she hugged the rail and made her bid along the inner to lead at the 200 metres before going on to score decisively.
A month later at Trentham she lost in head–bobber and back at Trentham on December 21 for the Eulogy Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) she announced her arrival on the big stage with a comprehensive victory. Her acceleration from the 300–metre mark was undeniable and from the 100 metres she drew away to win in style.
Saturday’s three-year-old feature attracted several opponents from the Eulogy Stakes and she treated them similarly, the key to the win being her switching ground from the 300 metres, then diving through quickly to reach the lead. Past the 100 metres Craig Grylls had her travelling sweetly and they were never going to be caught.
Robbie Patterson rates the filly highly, claiming that she might be the best he’s trained and that is a mighty big statement considering that three seasons back he had dual Group 1 winner Coventina Bay (Shamexpress) in his care. “I’ve had some good horses and this one could be the best I’ve had,” said Patterson. “I want to win the Oaks again as I think I have the right horse for it. I won the race with Legs when I was in partnership with Kevin Gray, and I think this one might even be a little better than her.”
Connections will likely have to look at Leica Lucy’s dam’s line to find staying blood. Her sire Derryn (Hinchinbrook), who had two winners on Saturday’s Trentham card, was a sprinter and is from a family of sprinters.
Lecia Lucy is from a mare by Sir Percy (Mark Of Esteem), winner of the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f). He stood just three seasons in New Zealand and in his stud career sired 26 stakes winners. Sir Percy’s damsire Blakeney (Hethersett) also won the Derby at Epsom.
Is there any staying talent in her female family? Not in the first two generations. Her dam Dynamite Lucy scored at 1600 metres and ranks as a half-sister to Auckland Guineas (Gr 2, 1400m) second Endowment (Savabeel).
Her third dam is Listed placed Timamou (Deputy Governor) whose half-brother Just Aqua (Justice Prevails) was a Group 3 winner of the Tauranga Stakes (1600m) who won up to 2000 metres. Their dam, Aquilac (Crested Wave) is a half-sister to the dam of the best runner in this line, dual Group 1 miler Elevenses (Star Way), a Group 2 winner at 2100 metres.
Leica Lucy was not offered for sale but her recent wins are a timely boost for Derryn who will have 12 lots on offer next week at Karaka. His oldest are five-year-olds and Leica Lucy marks his fourth and best stakes winner to date.
Predictions
This time next week we will be two-thirds of the way through Book 1 at NZB’s 2025 Karaka Yearling Sale. As second cab off the rack behind the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale, what might happen?
The New Zealand economy is more than a bit sticky and post Magic Millions, reports suggested that the middle market and lower were quite challenging for vendors. The top end, as usual, looked after itself.
From the auctioneer’s standpoint, they will probably be very satisfied if the sale matches what was a highly successful 2024 series. Based on what took place at Magic Millions, which saw an eight per cent easing, even a small drop would be considered a success.
An unknown factor is the continued quality performances by New Zealand-breds over the past 12 months. Another factor is whether the success of last November’s Ready to Run Sale carries over into the yearlings. One common denominator is the sire representation, which is quite similar. We will be much wiser in another eight days’ time.
A few easy predictions are: Waikato Stud will lead the vendors by aggregate. Their living legend, Savabeel (Zabeel), will lead the aggregate among the sires and David Ellis will again top the buyers – this year by necessity as their expansion to Cranbourne, Victoria ramps up.
The top lot might be Lot 260, the sole representative of Frankel (Galileo). The colt has a great pedigree page and his sire is world-class. The leading sire by average will be Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj). Take a glance at the families supporting his ten lots. It’s an outstanding collection and as long as they are appropriately conformed they will command top prices. Wodeton (Wootton Bassett) was mighty impressive at Rosehill last Saturday and the stallion was in great demand on the Gold Coast. The timing is perfect.
Apart from Savabeel, proven New Zealand-based sires such as Proisir (Choisir) and Per Incanto (Street Cry) are well represented while a number of the younger ones, such as Satono Aladdin (Deep Impact), Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice), Ace High (High Chaparral), Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) and Super Seth (Dundeel), are making plenty of noise.
As is often the case, stock of Australian-based sires sell well at Karaka and apart from Wootton Bassett, up-and-comers Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice), Bivouac (Exceed And Excel), Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) and Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) will each have their admirers.
New Zealand-based first season sires Sword Of State (Snitzel) and Noverre (Savabeel) were positively accepted at the Magic Millions sale and should again sell well at Karaka. A small selection of lots by Australian-based first season sires Home Affairs (I Am Invincible), Palace Pier (Kingman), Pinatubo (Shamardal), St Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni) and Wild Ruler (Snitzel) will likely add some spice.
Kiwi Chronicles will be present at Karaka and will return on February 4.