Mazu Unstoppable in Darby Munro

Mark Smith - Saturday March 19

Arrowfield Stud’s Japanese shuttler Maurice (Jpn) kick-started Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens with the first two winners.

As easy as it looks for Mazu (image Steve Hart)

As easy as it looks for Mazu (image Steve Hart)

After the Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained Achira flagged her ATC Oaks credentials with a fighting win in a 1500m Midway, the progressive Mazu confirmed his claim among the most progressive three-year-olds in training with a dominant performance in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m).

Ridden by Sam Clipperton for Peter and Paul Snowden, Mazu trailed the leader Omni Man and never left the fence in defeating the Exceed And Excel gelding Bacchanalia by two and a half lengths with the Snitzel filly Smirnova a length furthr back in third.

A last start winner of the Listed Fireball Stakes, Mazu is three for three since being gelded.

The winner of the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes last spring, the Triple Crown Syndications colour bearer advances his record to five wins and a third from nine starts with earnings of $461,350.

Paul Snowden revealed they had given some thought to staring the glorious-looking son of Maurice (JPN) in the Group 1 Galaxy.

“That was a solid effort, we were contemplating starting him in a harder race later in the day,” Snowden said.

Mazu a $180,000 Inglis Classic yearling

Mazu a $180,000 Inglis Classic yearling

“We decided to stay in our lane and keep following the programme. This is just another run to tick him over for the Arrowfield.

“He has always had immense talent. but he was his own worse enemy. He was doing what colts that should not be colts were doing. ‘We did what we had to do with full support of the ownership group and they’re reaping the benefits of that now.

“I have no doubt he will reach top level with time. He will get 7f on his ear. He is relaxing so well now.”

A $180,000 purchase by Triple Crown Syndications out of the Parsons Creek Pastoral draft at the 2020 Classic Yearling Sale, Mazu is a half-brother to Headway (Charge Forward) who was crowned the 2008-09 Champion 2yo Filly in Australia. Her four wins included the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and was runner-up in the Golden Slipper.

 Mazu is out of the multiple stakes-placed Flying Spur mare Chatelaine, who has a weanling colt by Toronado (IRE) and was covered by King’s Legacy last spring.

Maurice's grey daughter Achira grinds out a tough win in the opener (image Steve Hart)

Maurice's grey daughter Achira grinds out a tough win in the opener (image Steve Hart)

 

Race Result - Irresistible Pools Darby Munro LR 1200m

Rosehill Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:13.20
1
Mazu
- 3g Maurice (JPN) x Chatelaine (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: S Clipperton 58.5
2
2.5
Bacchanalia
- 3g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Thalia (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: N Rawiller 58
3
3.5
Smirnova
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x Ballet Blue (AUS) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 54
4
3.8
Shihonka
- 3f Capitalist (AUS) x Stroak (AUS) (Real Saga (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 54
5
5.1
Bend The Knee
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Kneeling (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: Tommy Berry 58
6
5.2
Minsk Moment
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Dancing Express (AUS) (Oratorio (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
7
9.2
Omni Man
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Courgette (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
More Reading...
Via Sistina Leads Waller Trifecta in G1 Verry Elleegant Stakes
The Group I $1million ATC Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday was always going to be won by a Chris Waller trained runner when talented gelding Ceolwulf was scratched on the morning of the race and it was the favourite Via Sistina (IRE), who did best in a titanic battle to shade her stablemates Fangirl and Lindermann.
Darby Racing Filly into Golden Slipper
Darby Racing have a happy knack for finding serious value at Inglis Classic and they certainly got that in spades when paying $30,000 for Within the Law as the Lucky Vega (IRE) filly has been on fire in the Inglis incentive races and has now earned a crack at the Golden Slipper with her determined win in the Group II Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Per Incanto Mare Marble Arch Wins G2 Blamey
Previously a runner-up in two black-type races, Marble Arch went one better on Saturday with a valuable victory in the A$300,000 Gr.2 TAB Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington to credit her sire Per Incanto (USA) with a 33rd stakes-winner.
Maurice Debutants Go One-Two at Canterbury
The bubble burst on the odds-on favourite Forbes as two first starters by the former Japanese Horse Of The Year Maurice (JPN) fought out the finish of the two-year-old maiden over 1100 metres at Canterbury on Friday night.
Maurice's Magnificent Mazu Claims the Arrowfield Sprint
Due to Sydney’s big wet, just four of the ten acceptors went to the post for Saturday’s $1,000,000 Group II Arrowfield 3yo Sprint (1200m) at Randwick, but there is no denying they were a high-class lot.
The Two Ladies Outstanding in G1 Surround Stakes
The two ladies were mighty in the Group I Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday smashing the race record, but at the finish it was Lady Shenandoah prevailing over Lady Of Camelot to get her second win at the top level.
Sires With Winners - Saturday March 1
Here is the full list of 121 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Red Letter Day for Maurice
While Hitotsu was grabbing the headlines in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington, the Japanese champion Maurice (GB) had another promising three-year-old salute when Mazu captured the Listed Tokyo City Keiba Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick.
New Prep - New Tactics - Old Results for Amelia's Jewel
New prep, new tactics from a rapid fire decision, back to old results – there’s the story of Amelia’s Jewel’s long awaited return to winning form in the Group II Proven Thoroughbreds Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Widden Stud Bred and Sold El Morzillo wins $1million Inglis Sprint
A $50,000 Classic Yearling Sale purchase from the Widden Stud draft, Star Witness filly El Morzillo won the $1m Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Flemington today as Kelly Schweida delivered a fairytale result for connections.