Quality mare Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) can put herself in line for another trip away if she performs up to expectations at Te Rapa on Friday.
The five-year-old will appreciate a step up in distance in the BCD Group Mile (1600m) and a solid effort will have her in serious contention for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 12.
The Cambridge Stud-owned Snazzytavi resumed on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival and was unplaced after finding the pace too hot in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m).
“It wasn’t a bad run, it was just a bit short for her in a Group One field and they went 100 miles an hour and she got unbalanced,” said Graham Richardson, who trains the mare in partnership with Rogan Norvall.
“She’s improved a lot and is definitely looking a lot better, she’s an absolute darling to do most things with.”
Snazzytavi did hold a nomination for this weekend’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), but connections opted to start her second-up closer to home.
“We just thought we would run her up here and if she goes well enough then we will be looking at the Livamol,” Richardson said.
Snazzytavi stamped herself as one of the more progressive horses in the country last preparation and won the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m) before earning her first piece of black type when third in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
She ended her campaign with a majestic performance to run away with the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m).
“I’m very proud of her and when she won the Easter it was a big thrill, I’ve been lucky enough to win it a few times, and she was very impressive,” Richardson said.
“I remember winning it with Mike Moroney when it was a Group One, we quinellaed it with Ball Park and Lord Tridan and that was a few years ago (1994) now.”
With Norvall, Richardson also prepared Carolina Reaper to claim top honours in the 2022 edition.
Snazzytavi’s new stablemate Rocababy will also be in action at Te Rapa in the Risk Management Group Handicap (1200m).
The daughter of El Roca finished fourth over the course and distance earlier this month in her first appearance for the stable.
“She will improve with her first-up run, she just blew out the last bit,” Richardson said.
“Ideally, if there was another race a week later she would probably be better suited, but there isn’t and I am pretty happy with her.”
Rocababy has won five races, including the Listed O’Leary’s Fillies’ Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old.
Meanwhile, the stable’s top-rated performer and Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1200m) winner Bonny Lass will shortly return to the stable.
She successfully resumed in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) before finishing sixth in the Tarzino.
“She went up to Kylie Hoskins just for a change and a week off at the beach and then she’ll work there for a week or two before coming back and will run in the Sweynesse (Gr.3, 1215m) on October 13,” Richardson said.
Successful in the Rotorua race two years ago, Bonny Lass will later target the Gr.1 Sistema (1200m) and the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) after placing in both events last season.
