By Heather Anderson
Well-traveled veteran Willie Cazals (Ire), landed a career high at Hastings Saturday at the expense of 3-1 favorite Humidor (Aus) in the 2040-metre G1 Livamol Classic. Dropping back to the tail of the field, the Italian highweight was content to bide his time as Saint Emilion (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) set a steady pace. The grey began to weave his way past rivals as the pack condensed on the far turn and looked primed for a big effort if he could find room as they fanned across the track in the upper straight. At least eight off the fence for the stretch drive, the 15-1 shot got up in the final two jumps to peg stretch leader and favored Humidor by a short neck at the wire. Hasselhoof (NZ) ran third, 1 1/4 lengths behind.
“This is a wonderful thrill for Andrew and myself, the owners and the staff at Wexford,” co-trainer Lance O'Sullivan told nzracing.co.nz, as it was the first win for the well-traveled gelding in over three years. “He came back from Hong Kong with two bowed tendons, so we put him out on the hills for 12 months. There was no pressure because the owners didn't have any great expectations. He ran against [G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase winner and triple G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up] Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) on three occasions and beat him every time–he was a pretty serious horse.”
“The plan was not to dig him out of the gates, he can over race, and there was good speed on,” said winning hoop Craig Grylis. “From the 800 [metres] the field fanned out and I picked a path through and he got the job done. All credit to Lance and Andrew, it's great to get another Group 1 for them–they've been big supporters of mine.”
A multiple listed winner in Italy and runner-up in the G2 Derby Italiano in 2011 for Allevamento Dei Sette, Willie Cazals was purchased by Eugene Chuang Yue Chien and sent to Hong Kong in December 2011. His best finish over four seasons was a second to Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in the 2014 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase and he signed off with a sixth-place effort in the G3 Centenary Vase H. in the wake of Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in early February of 2015. Spelled for 18 months, the now 8-year-old resurfaced with a ninth in the G2 Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa Aug. 13 and went one better extended to 1600 metres in the Westbury Club Mile over this track Aug. 27. Willie Cazals took third in the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic going the same distance in heavy going at Pukekohe Sept. 18.
Pedigree Notes:
By the late G1 Gainesborough Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) winner Aussie Rules (Danehill), Willie Cazals, who raced in Europe as Cazals, is a half-brother to French and Italian highweight Joanna (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), already responsible for French SW Rafaadah (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Under the fourth dam, French SW Almyre (Fr) (Wild Riske {Fr}), is the French champion Ashmore (Fr) (Lutheir {Fr}), as well as the shock 133-1 GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero Arcangues (Sagace {Fr}). Out of Italian SP Secrete Marina (Ire) (Mujadil), Willie Cazals is a half-brother to a Galileo (Ire) filly of 2015. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
Saturday, Hastings, New Zealand
LIVAMOL CLASSIC (Ormond Memorial)-G1, NZ$250,000, Hawkes Bay, 10-01, Open wfa, 2040mT, 2:09.75, Slow.
1–@&WILLIE CAZALS (IRE) , 59.0, g, 8, by Aussie Rules (USA)
1st Dam: Secrete Marina (IRE) (SP-Ity), by Mujadil (USA)
2nd Dam: Marina Lady (USA), by Riverman (USA)
3rd Dam: Amenity (FR), by Luthier (FR)
O-Hermitage Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd; B-G. Faldutto, IRE; T-L
O'Sullivan & A Scott; J-C J Grylls; NZ$156,250. Lifetime Record:
Hwt. 3yo-Ity at 9 1/2-11f, MSW & GSP-Ity, G1SP-HK, 25-6-5-4,
NZ$1,805,688. *1/2 to Joanna (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Hwt.
3yo-Fr at 5-7f, Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ity, MGSW & MG1SP-Fr, SW-Ity,
$519,223. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A.
2–Humidor, 57.5, g, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–Zalika, by Zabeel. O-Jomara
Bloodstock Ltd; B-Jomara Bloodstock Ltd, Auckland, NZ; T-J
Benner & H Wynyard; J-M R Du Plessis; NZ$50,000.
3–Hasselhoof, 59.0, g, 5, Tavistock–Alpine, by Zabeel.
(NZ$14,000 Ylg 2013 NZB National Yearling Sale) O-B & R
Alexander, G J Cossey, C J & P L Woods, The Baywatch
Syndicate, The Hoof Syndicate; B-P J & P M Vela Ltd, Waikato,
NZ; T-D Logan & C Gibbs; J-M Cameron; NZ$25,000.
Margins: 0.2 len, 1.0 len, 2.3 len
Also Ran: El Pescado, Rasa Lila, Benzini (AUS) , Saint Emilion, Mime, Savaria, Julinsky Prince, Bohemian Lily, Authentic Paddy, Celebrity Miss, Platinum Command, Battle Time, Farm Boy.
Scratched: Fanatic (NZ), Nymph Monte (NZ).
Click for the Racing Post chart. NZRacing Video.
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