Star Kiwi 3YO Crocetti Back in Work

Media Release - Tuesday June 4

Standout three-year-old Crocetti has returned to work ahead of what trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata are hoping will be a lucrative spring preparation.

Racing in the colours of owner-breeder Daniel Nakhle, Crocetti was a standout on the track this season, winning six consecutive races, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), and Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), before finishing runner-up to Bonny Lass in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in February.

Crocetti pictured with trainers Danny Walker (left) and Arron Arron Tata, and owner-breeder Daniel Nakhle.  Photo: Race Images South

Advertisement

The son of Zacinto has enjoyed a few months in the spelling paddock and has returned in great condition according to Walker.

“He has been back in work for two weeks and he is looking really well, I am really happy with him,” he said.

The Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring carnival currently sits as the primary early spring target for Crocetti, with a potential trip across the Tasman also on the cards.

“I would like to think that it was reasonably dry to get to Hastings on the first day, but you are in the lap of the gods a bit there, so we will see how we go,” Walker said.

“Probably at some stage (he will head to Australia). There is not a lot here (New Zealand) in the spring for him. It would be nice to see him come up well and then make a plan from there.”

Meanwhile, Walker is looking forward to heading to Matamata on Wednesday where he will be represented by two runners.

Three-year-old gelding Murch has placed in each of his three starts to date, including over 1300m at Pukekohe last Saturday, and is set to back-up in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1200.

“He has pulled up well from Saturday, I am happy with him,” Walker said. “He has a wide draw (14) but we will see how he works from there.

“I think the track is going to be quite puggy because there hasn’t been much rain, and hopefully he suits that.”

Four-year-old mare Sea A Penny is set to make her debut in the MBS Advisors 1200 off the back of an 850m trial win at Te Awamutu.

She is an improving big mare and she will have her chance,” Walker said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.
Third G1 Win for Star Savabeel Mare Atishu
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu(NZ) (Savabeel) returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators.
Spring Plans for Crocetti
This season’s standout three-year-old Crocetti made a pleasing start to his spring preparation on Tuesday at the Cambridge Synthetic trials, closing late to finish second in his 800m heat, and he could be in for a lucrative spring preparation.
Switzerland Wins the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for Coolmore
After Coolmore’s $875,000 I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs captured the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2021, it was the turn of the $1,500,000 Snitzel colt Switzerland to do the sponsor proud in the $2,000,000 Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.
Crocetti Primed for G1 Return
Newly turned four-year-olds have a proud record of making early spring statements in the Gr.1 Westbury Stud Tarzino Trophy (1400m) in recent years, and one of New Zealand’s most exciting racehorses is poised to follow suit at Hastings on Saturday.
Can Crocetti Stay Undefeated?
There is plenty of excitement surrounding Saturday’s TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie, and standout three-year-old Crocetti is expected to kick the night off with a bang when he lines-up in the opening race of the six-race card, the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m).
2024 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw
The all important barrier draw for the world’s richest handicap, the $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been held for a field which contains horses bred in seven countries and trained in four.
Winning Return for G1 Star Crocetti
Crocetti, one of the brightest stars in last season’s outstanding three-year-old crop, showed he was back bigger and better after he provided a display of guts and determination to take out Saturday’s Alibaba’s Flying Carpets Kerikeri Cup (1100m) at Ruakaka.
Fawkner Park Back to Winning Ways in G3 Rosehill Gold Cup
Since winning the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March, Fawkner Park has undergone an amazing transformation.