A champion New Zealand three-year-old, Puccini will be represented by his first crop of yearlings at Karaka later this month.
A son of champion stallion Encosta de Lago, Puccini is out of stakes-winning Paris Opera mare Miss Opera. The quality broodmare is also the dam of six-time Group One winner Sir Slick.
Puccini was the star performer in New Zealand in his classic season when, under the guidance of Peter and Jacob McKay, he triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) off the back of Group Two wins in the Great Northern (1600m), Waikato (2000m) and Avondale Guineas (2100m).
He came back the following term for Group Three victories in the Merial Metric Mile (1600m) and the Thompson Handicap (1600m). He was subsequently runner-up in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) and then went one better in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m).
Puccini later had stints with Darren Weir and Wayne Walters in Australia where he was a multiple Group placegetter.
RACE RECORD
57 Starts 8-9-5 NZ$920,175, A$242,000. Champion 3YO in NZ in 2013-14. Top on The 2013-14 NZ 3YO Free H (1600m+). 8 wins from 1600m to 2400m, NZ$920,175, A$242,000, New Zealand Derby, Gr.1, WRC Thorndon Mile, Gr.1, ARC Avondale Guineas, Gr.2, Great North-ern Guineas, Gr.2, Waikato Guineas, Gr.2, WRC Thompson H., Gr.3, Marton JC Metric Mile, Gr.3, 2d WRC Captain Cook S., Gr.1, BRC Premier’s Cup, Gr.3, MRC Eclipse S., Gr.3, SAJC Lord Reims S., Gr.3, Pakenham Cup, L, 3d ARC Rich Hill Mile, Gr.2, VRC TAB Rewards S., Gr.3, ARC Champagne S., L, 4th New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas, Gr.1, WRC Levin Classic, Gr.1, MRC Easter Cup, Gr.3, Mornington Cup, L, Ipswich Cup, L, Ballarat Cup, L, Bendigo JC Yalumba Golden Mile, L.
