In a display of sheer class, Lazzura, under a spontaneous ride from Tommy Berry, proved too strong for her rivals in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick.
Berry, faced with a wide draw, opted to let the mare’s natural racing instincts guide the tactics from the outset.
“I still had no idea what I was going to do going to the gates, and I thought, I’ll ride her how she jumps,” Berry stated.
“She pinged the lids and at the end of the day, it’s not the way to ride her, but she’s the best horse in the race.
“Good horses overcome adversity, and that’s what she did today.”
With Perfumist leading the field, Berry settled Lazzura ($2.70 favourite) in the box seat, mounting her challenge and taking the lead halfway up the straight.
The Chris Waller-trained mare dug deep in the closing stages, holding off the fast-finishing Infancy ($71) by a half-length, with Verona Rose ($13) securing third place a short head further back.
“She had to burn the candle at both ends,” said Darren Beadman, assistant trainer to Chris Waller.
“It was, do we go forward, or do we go back? But the way she jumped, Tommy made an executive decision and said, ‘Bang. She’s the best horse in the race’.
“She really cut out some slick sectionals in the early stages, but once she got there she gave herself a chance and switched off, and she runs out a strong 1400.”
Beadman indicated that future plans for Lazzura were undecided, suggesting that a quick backup into the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), a race she contested last year, was unlikely following her tough performance.
The Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in two weeks and The Hunter (1300m) a week later are being considered as potential targets.
“I’ll leave that to the master himself,” Beadman commented.
“Whatever she does is just a bonus. She’s a Group One-winning mare and she has won her last two Group Twos.”
Kris Lees reported that the runner-up, Infancy, ran well and is slated to compete in The Hunter ($1 million) over 1300m at Newcastle on November 14.
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