Back-to-back stakes wins for Scorpz (NZ)

Sunday’s Listed Hynds 3YO Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie produced a quinella for Karaka graduates, with Scorpz (NZ) (Charm Spirit) scoring his second consecutive stakes win.

The colt didn’t reach his $65,000 reserve in Book 1 of Karaka 2018, but has won all of his last three starts including the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and Sunday’s Ellerslie feature.

Ridden by Jason Waddell, Scorpz had a wide draw and had to drop back in the early stages of the race. But when the pace went out of the race, Waddell opted to make an early move. Scorpz worked his way forward three-wide, then sprinted again to make his bid for victory.

He was headed by Rendition (NZ) (Pierro), but showed tremendous courage to fight his way back in front. He faced another fierce challenge late in the race from Tibetan (NZ) (Shocking), but held on to win by a head.

Scorpz has now had eight starts for three wins, exceeding his Karaka 2018 reserve with $78,125 in stakes.

“This is a lovely stayer with a very big future,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.

“I was a bit nervous going out of the straight the first time. He looked like he was going to be stuck three-wide, then got back to last.

“But you’ve got to put your faith in your jockeys. I was surprised by the mid-race move, but he’s a top jockey who’s riding very well at the moment and has won some big races.

“The horse was very tough to the line. It was his first time over ground, and he covered all that extra ground, but he still kicked so strongly at the end.”

Scorpz will now be aimed at the $1 million Group 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on February 29.

Meanwhile, runner-up Tibetan was a $40,000 purchase in Book 2 of Karaka 2018. He has now placed in three of his four starts, earning $18,500 to date.