Chris Waller claims his fourth in a row Coolmore Classic victories, with James McDonald now one success shy of Damien Oliver’s record haul of elite wins after Lazzura’s resilient conquest in Rosehill’s key race.
Lazzura, under 58kg, emulated Sunline (60kg) from 2002 by becoming just the second mare this century to win the Coolmore Classic (1500m) with such a hefty impost, pushing McDonald’s Group 1 count to 128.
To tie Damien Oliver’s retired Australian record, he requires only another triumph, ideally coming next Saturday at Rosehill featuring his prospective ride on unblemished star Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes.
McDonald downplayed the record pursuit humbly, attributing the win squarely to Lazzura’s heart and perseverance.
“It’s a funny feeling because ‘Ollie’ (Damien Oliver) is so great, I don’t feel like I should be in that echelon just yet,” McDonald said.
“I feel very privileged to be in the position where I’m getting there slowly.
“It wasn’t me, it was her just really biting down on the mouthguard and having a really decent crack.
“I thought she was all-out with one hundred metres to go, but that will to find the line, it’s something you can’t teach them, you can’t train in them.”
Lazzura posted a Group 1 placing in the previous year’s Surround Stakes (1400m), but Saturday’s Coolmore result was her maiden top-tier victory.
Having suffered a close loss in her fresh appearance in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300m), Waller expressed huge satisfaction at her gritty performance to secure the win.
“We had her a bit underdone first-up and rode her a pair too close. Today, we didn’t panic from the draw. We went back, got cover three-wide,” Waller said.
“I thought, following that run last start, you’re going to fold up that last hundred, but she was strong.
“Well deserved. She has been competing against top-class rivals without much fortune on her side.”
Lazzura’s owners will guide Waller’s choice for her autumn plans, likely the Doncaster Mile (1600m) or Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on April 4 or 11.
“I’ve got a philosophy that horses don’t just win one Group One. If they’re good enough to win one, they normally win two or three,” he said.
Lazzura at $5 fended off Arctic Glamour ($13) by a short neck, as Vivy Air ($26) charged home impressively for third a matching distance adrift.
Favourite Savvy Hallie ($4.20) led until late fade saw her eleventh, jockey Nash Rawiller commenting she lacked the stamina for the journey yet.
“Disappointing on the day, but she will bounce back,” Rawiller said.
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