Synchronize a New SW for Savabeel

Media Release - Monday December 26

Progressive mare Synchronize made her long-awaited return to the racetrack a winning one when she produced a sizzling home straight sprint to take out the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Pukekohe.

Craig Zackey eases Synchronize to the finish line to win the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) Photo Credit: Kristin Ledington

The Mark Walker-trained four-year-old was returning from an enforced absence after she bled when finishing well back at Taupo in August.

Two handy trial runs, including a second over 1000m behind stablemate Fashion Shoot at Avondale a fortnight earlier, had her ready for Saturday’s black type assignment and she didn’t disappoint in the hands of in-form South African pilot Craig Zackey.

Advertisement

Zackey settled the daughter of Savabeel near the rear on a hot speed and was still spotting the leaders several lengths rounding the home bend. Held up for one run at them, Synchronize hit top gear in a couple of strides as she burst past former Hong Kong galloper Green Aeon to take the win by an ever increasing two lengths at the finish line.

“I thought she’d go well fresh and it is just unfortunate that she bled in the spring,” Walker said.

“We’re on top of that problem now and the key to her is to keep her in a nice, fresh state.

“We knew she had the ability and it was a good ride by Craig as he held her up, held her up and she showed a great turn of foot.

“They were back a fair way, but it looked like they went a good enough clip (in front) and we know with that turn of foot, if we can keep on top of her problems she has a lot more in store.”

Walker will monitor the mare’s recovery before deciding on her next target but has his eye on another stakes race at the venue.

“We’ll just go home and sleep on it, but we might come here for the Concorde Handicap (Gr.3, 1200m) next month,” he said.

Zackey, who was completing his fourth stakes victory since arriving from South Africa in November, was pleased with the win after running into trouble early in the home straight.

“I was in a good position until the bend came and then it got a little bit rough,” he said.

“I got pushed out the back, but the more I was riding her patiently the more she just started to climb against the bit and when she got through a tight gap, she just exploded.”

Owned by the Te Akau Flexibeel Racing Partnership, Synchronize was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $280,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka in 2020. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Hallmark Stud Hcp LR 1200m

Pukekohe Park Track: Good(3) Time: 1:08.97
1
Synchronize
- 4m Savabeel (AUS) x Splits (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C Zackey 54
2
2.3
Green Aeon
- 7g Snitzel (AUS) x Berengaria (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: T W Mitchell Rdr: S C Spratt 58.5
3
4.1
Funny Girl
- 4m Showcasing (GB) x Triaction (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
4
4.3
El Vencedor
- 4g Shocking (AUS) x Strictly Maternal (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: W F Pinn 60
5
4.5
Fashion Shoot
- 5m Savabeel (AUS) x High Fashion (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54
6
4.7
La Bella Beals
- 4m Star Turn (AUS) x Miss Beals (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C J Grylls 57.5
7
4.8
Sassy Merlot
- 4m Burgundy (NZ) x Saveadance (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: C E Lammas 58
8
4.9
Shepherd's Delight
- 4m Rip Van Winkle (IRE) x Safari Sunset (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: Jake Bayliss 54
9
5.7
New York Jazz
- 7g Niagara (AUS) x Shesalljazz (NZ) (Coats Choice (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: M Hashizume 60
10
6.8
Rocket Science
- 5g Keano (NZ) x Thornbirds (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: B D Revell Rdr: O P Bosson 59
11
8.6
Midnight Special
- 5m Excelebration (IRE) x Midnight Van Damme (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy (USA))
Tnr: T J Miller Rdr: K L Hannan 54
12
9.8
Diamond Pegasus
- 6g Snitzel (AUS) x Fitna (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G J Lord Rdr: L H Satherley 54
13
10.0
One More Time
- 5m Per Incanto (USA) x Aaja Nachle (NZ) (Fast 'N' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: J J Fawcett 59
14
12.7
Beldarra
- 4m Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Inside Line (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: W B Kennedy 54
More Reading...
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.