Stephen Hunt breaks down Tarzino Trophy Day
Stephen Hunt • September 9th, 2024 2:08 PM
Headlines:
- Poetic Champion 94.0 is up from his past peak of 91.9, 2nd Matamata Slipper. The winner average since 2017 has been 94.1. Race shape suited, but no knock if connections want to stretch out to the 1400m (Hawkes Bay Guineas) as recency form from the boys is limited thus far.
- Alabama Lass is a genuine star on the rise, potentially a top-tier sprinter next prep in the summer. She backed up her 98.5 at Taupo with a similar performance at Hastings, 99.2 which rates +4.3L vs the winner average since 2016. Avantage 93.4 in 2018.
- Wolfgang, Navigator and Witz End all ran big new peaks.
Tarzino Trophy:
Grail Seeker, etched her name in the history books with victory in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy, running an overall time of 1:21.46, fastest since 2006 when Seachange ran 1:21.13. Despite settling mid-field, rail, the fast early pace suited, and she produced a strong close over the final 600m to defeat Faraglioni. Grail Seeker performance earned her a rating of 97.5, normalised to weight-for-age, surpassing her previous best rating of 92.0, achieved in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas last preparation.
Crocetti, set a very strong tempo T600 (46.28) +6.3L vs Open Class. It was 5.3L to 10.5L faster early than the four previous editions of the race.
The table below shows recent winners of the Tarzino Trophy and their respective ratings.
Stephen Hunt sees Alabama Lass as a genuine star on the rise.
Photo Credit: Race Images (raceimages.co.nz)
Photo Credit: Race Images (raceimages.co.nz)
