Stunning return from Snazzytavi

High-class mare Snazzytavi was in a league of her own at Te Rapa where she added the G2 Cal Isuzu Stakes to her record in effortless fashion.

Our five-year-old daughter of the late Tavistock couldn’t have been more impressive in her return, cantering to victory to emphasise she is in prime order for our sponsored G1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Off the back of a Taupo trial win, trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall had Snazzytavi in tip-top condition in her first appearance since a runaway victory in the G1 Livamol Classic to close out her spring campaign.

“I was very happy with the way she looked, she’s got a lot more condition on her this time around,” Richardson said.

“They walked early and she still settled, which was most important, she’s athletic with an amazing stride and she’s tough.

“I’m over the moon for the horse and connections, I’d love to win the Zabeel Classic for the owners.”

Snazzytavi drifted to second last in the running before regular rider Warren Kennedy angled her wide at the top of the straight.

The mare needed minimal persuasion to lengthen stride and quickly put paid to her rivals, allowing Kennedy the luxury of a look either side in the closing stages.

They coasted home by two lengths to remain unbeaten in five appearances on the course and we were also upbeat with Bella Waters’ gallant run for fourth off the back of her win in last month’s G2 Tauranga Stakes.

“She’s something special and has really stepped up,” Kennedy said.

“She settled beautifully on a muddling pace, she was always cruising and did it easily. I gave her one and it was game over, she smashed them so it’s all systems go going forward.”

Snazzytavi was bred by Gordon Cunningham under his Suncroft Bloodstock banner, and we purchased her privately out of the trials.

She is a daughter of the Zabeel mare Ritzy Lady, who won six races including the Listed New Zealand St Leger and finished runner-up in the G2 Counties Cup.

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