Lazzura is strongly favoured to continue her dominance in Sydney’s spring fillies and mares’ features in the 2026 Hot Danish Stakes, with jockey Tommy Berry expressing confidence that she will repeat her previous successes.
Since finishing behind Savvy Hallie in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) first-up, Lazzura has recorded victories in the Golden Pendant (1400m) and The Invitation (1400m). She is currently priced at $1.45 to achieve a third consecutive win at Rosehill.
With a benchmark rating eight points higher than her closest rival, Lazzura is ideally placed under the set weights conditions of the Hot Danish Stakes (1400m). The mare will also appreciate the soft 7 track conditions and has drawn barrier two.
Berry could be forgiven for feeling some apprehension given the favourable race setup, but he insists that quality horses like Lazzura only boost his confidence.
“No, I get more nervous on the slow ones,” Berry quipped. “The faster ones are easier to deal with, that’s for sure. She should really be carrying a bit more (weight) than a few of these. She’s in great form, she has been for a few preps now, and if the rain does keep coming then she is really going to enjoy getting her toe in the ground.”
The low draw is a particularly important factor for Berry.
In The Invitation, she had to exert considerable effort to move forward from a wide barrier. Although she managed to hold on for a half-length win from the fast-finishing Infancy, she was visibly tiring towards the end.
From gate two, Lazzura should get an economical run on Saturday, allowing her to finish strongly.
He also dismissed concerns that her demanding last-start effort might have taken a toll. Berry revealed the mare recovered so well that trainer Chris Waller considered backing her up just seven days later in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, which was won by stablemate Lady Shenandoah.
“That’s how well she came through her run,” Berry said. “With this race here on the weekend, and them already having Lady Shenandoah in the other race, they chose to go a different way and give her the extra week. She’s come through in great order, and she’s a very tough mare. Nothing much knocks her around.
“We’ll be able to ride her with a bit of cover, or even if there’s not much speed – which it doesn’t look like there’s a lot of on paper – at least we’re not going to have to do the work we did the other day. Getting a nice, cosy run, we’ll be able to see that good turn of foot, and they’ll have to be very good to beat her on Saturday.”
Given her current form and the favourable race conditions, Lazzura is a strong contender in the Hot Danish Stakes. Those interested in betting can explore the available betting markets at Australian betting sites.
