NEWS
Zavite earns first Group 1 win in 50th career start
Posted: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 4:41 PM
by Mike Curry
In his 50th career start, seven-year-old gelding Zavite recorded his first career Group 1 victory with a dominant performance on Wednesday at Ellerslie.
Zavite uncoiled his winning bid on the final turn of the $702,800 Stella Artois Auckland Cup Handicap (NZ-G1), sweeping to the lead with a powerful move to take charge entering the straight of the 3,200-meter (15.90-furlong) race. He surged clear under Damien Oliver and powered to a 3 1/4-length victory with an impressive display of stamina, considering he toted high weight of about 127 pounds.
Trained by Anthony Cummings for a partnership, the New Zealand-bred shipped in from Australia and gave his jockey his first win in New Zealand since a victory aboard So Casual in December 1998 in the Sleepyhead New Zealand Derby (NZ-G1).
Zavite usually races close to the pace but with a swift tempo in the Auckland Cup, Oliver reserved him near the back of the 18-horse field early.
“They went pretty hard from the gate and I thought I'd pop in behind them and get him to relax,” Oliver told www.racingandsports.com.au. “He settled nice and coming to the turn I had some good chances in front of me, but they weren't going near as good as this bloke.
“He just cruised up and was jogging on the turn. He kicked well. I might have gone a bit early, but he was just going so well.”
A multiple group stakes winner in Australia, Zavite entered off a clear victory in a 2,500-meter (12.42-furlong) handicap on February 26. He completed 3,200 meters in 3:18.96 on turf rated as good for his tenth win from 50 career starts.
Zavite is out of the Alleged mare Miss Vita, a half sister to 2002 Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) winner Dancing (GB). European champion and 1991 CIGA Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) winner Suave Dancer is a member of the family.
Booming finished willingly but could not gain on the winner while finishing second. Tin Goose was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
