Kiwi Hazzabeel Stars in WA

Karaka graduate Hazzabeel (NZ) (Zabeel) led from start to finish in a strong performance to win his first black-type race in the A$150,000 Group 3 David Grays Aglink-R.J. Peters Stakes (1500m) at Ascot on Saturday.

Hazzabeel has been a consistent performer having won six of his 10 starts for trainer Daniel Morton. This was his first win at black-type level following a third placing in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes at Ascot two weeks ago.

“It was an excellent win,” commented Morton. “He is still coming to the top and I think he is a good six to 12 months away from being a top liner.

“He has been out to a mile this time but with some time and maturing I think he’ll be a nice 2000m horse.”

A quick start from barrier 4 for jockey Lucy Warwick saw Hazzabeel go straight to the lead in the early stages. Showing the way as he came to the home turn, Hazzabeel dashed away and sprinted to victory by one-and-a-half-lengths over Battle Her (Stratum) and Tower of Lonhro (Lonhro) finishing in second and third places.

It is the second year in a row that a Karaka graduate has won the R.J. Peters Stakes following the victory of Bass Strait (NZ) (Holy Roman Emperor) last season.

Hazzabeel has amassed over A$200,000 for owners Mt Hallowell Stud, Mr M R Godfrey and Mr M J Young.

Gai Waterhouse purchased Hazzabeel at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2012 Premier Sale for $180,000 from Valachi Downs.

Bred by Kevin Hickman of Valachi Downs, the son of the great Zabeel is out of Miss Avalon (Fantastic Light), a half-sister to stakes winner Toruk Macto. Hazzabeel is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Vespa (Elusive City), winner of the Group 1 Diamond Stakes.

He was one of three graduates to win stakes races in Australia on Saturday with Indarra (NZ) (Stravinsky) and Famous Seamus (NZ) (Elusive City) both winning at Sandown.