In a gripping contest at Rosehill Gardens today, Lazzura successfully concluded a remarkable spring campaign by clinching the Group 2 $500,000 Hot Danish Stakes over 1400 metres.

Darren Beadman, speaking on behalf of trainer Chris Waller who was at Flemington, commented on the mare’s victory, admitting, “It wasn’t a gimme.” Lazzura, the heavily backed $1.35 favourite, had to exert significant effort to run down the pacesetter Gerringong but maintained control throughout.

Not long after, Autumn Glow, another Waller-trained runner, had to work harder than expected to pass stablemate Lindermann in the Group 1 Champions Mile, ultimately winning convincingly.

Autumn Glow heads for a spell having achieved four wins from four starts this spring, including three Group 1 victories, solidifying her reputation as the nation’s premier racehorse. The Waller stable also secured a trifecta in the Champions Mile, with Lindermann finishing second and Buckaroo third.

Lazzura’s win marked her third consecutive Group 2 victory this spring from four outings, further enhancing her standing as one of the most outstanding mares currently racing.

With Tommy Berry in the saddle, riding Lazzura as if she were the class horse of the field, the favourite eventually wore down the tenacious leader Gerringong ($6.50) by a half neck. Surf’s Up ($17), also trained by Waller, finished more than two lengths back in third.

Gerringong, ridden by Nash Rawiller, established a strong pace, turning the race into a fast-paced sprint with the final 600 metres run in a rapid 32.94 seconds, which only serves to highlight the merit of Lazzura’s performance.

Beadman’s characteristic humour was evident when addressing suggestions that Lazzura might have leaned into Gerringong near the finish line.

“It was as wide as the Sydney Heads, turn it up!” Beadman quipped.

Lazzura now proceeds to a spell, having delivered impressive wins in the Golden Pendant, The Invitation, and today’s Hot Danish Stakes.

“She has been in scintillating form,” Beadman said. “She takes all the guess work out of it with her style of racing, she puts herself there.

“The 1400m is about as far as she wants, but she hit her sweet spot today.

“She had to do a bit of work last start when she won The Invitation but today it was pure grit and determination.

“For Ricky Senior and Junior and the Surace family, they put a lot of effort into their horses, what they are searching for and what they breed, so it is a great result.”

Beadman also singled out Tommy Berry’s ride for special commendation.

“When the other horse came out of the race, the likely leader, Tommy was able to get there a lot softer than last start when he won The Invitation on her,” Beadman explained.

“He ‘curled his mo’, kept his cool, and 1400m is about as far as she wants.

“It was a tidy effort. She’s a Group 1 winner and meeting those horses at level weights, she was thrown in at the weight.

“It was a nice win and Surf’s Up getting stakes placed, picked up some black type, too.”

Berry commented on Lazzura’s ability to adjust from a slower early tempo and exhibit her class to narrowly defeat a determined Gerringong. “We went across the line and Nash says ‘that was a good race because we had to fight the whole way down the straight’,” Berry recalled.

“The margin doesn’t reflect the performance but the time does [32.94s]. We quickened up really well from the 600m, I put in a good kick at the 400m and the 200m. And Nash just stuck with me from there, his is a very good filly on her day.

“Any horse with class can run up a quick 600m if you get an easy time she has done it well.

“I would have enjoyed a bit more give in the track than what is there today but she is a winner and that is what she does.”

Chris Munce, trainer of Gerringong, expressed his satisfaction with his mare’s effort. “She has had a good preparation,” Munce stated.

“After she won The Nivison first-up, maybe that run took a little bit out of her when she ran fourth in The Invitation even though she wasn’t beaten far.

“But she was back to her best today and ran very well. We will take her home and give her a break now, then set her for the autumn carnival.”

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