Tarzino (NZ) Gets G1 Victoria Derby Dream

An outstanding staying performance awarded three-year-old Karaka graduate Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock) the winner of the A$1,500,000 Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington yesterday.

Tarzino (NZ) victorious in the Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby.

The son of New Zealand’s young boom sire Tavistock, Tarzino continues the impressive record of kiwi three-year-olds in Australia – 45% of Derbies have been won by New Zealand bred or sold horses in the past five seasons.

Tarzino became the seventh New Zealand bred or sold horse to have won the Group 1 Victoria Derby in the last 10 races. Last year’s race was won by Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel) following Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel), Lion Tamer (NZ) (Storming Home), Monaco Consul (NZ) (High Chaparral), Kibbutz (NZ) (Golan) and Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel).

From the stable of Mick Price, the three-year-old colt entered the race fresh from a third placing in the Group 2 Dilmah Vase at Moonee Valley just seven days ago, following his first tilt at a black-type race where he finished seventh in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

“I think he’s going to make a 2000m weight-for-age horse in the autumn,” commented Price. “As a four-year-old he’ll be fantastic. I was a little bit nervous when he pulled for the first half mile but Craig was very confident.”

Race-favourite Tarzino commenced the race from barrier 10 for jockey Craig Newitt, settling one off the fence in fourth position. Taking a wide path around the home turn, Tarzino raced clear shortly after straightening to win strongly by two-lengths over runner-up Etymology (New Approach) and Kia Ora Koutou (Blackfriars) in third.

“At the top of the straight he looked like he was going to hit the front too early but he was just too strong. Everyone around him was off the bridle and the horse did a good job as he’s bit of a stargazer,” Price added.

“He’s a really, really good horse and he’ll go to the paddock now before a light autumn. He’s a beautiful colt, was the best horse in the race and he deserved this win.”

Winning three of his six starts, Tarzino has amassed A$1,006,050 in prizemoney for connections Mick Price, Dr CG Lawler, Mrs M Jurie, Mr JG Bebedellis, Mrs C Price, Mr G Bebedellis, Mr JJ McNicholas, Mr G Alas, Mr JP Bergin and RA & JE Ferguson Partnership.

New South Wales’ Rick Connolly Bloodstock purchased him as a yearling at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2014 Select Sale for $45,000 from Cambridge Stud.

Bred by Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, the son of Tavistock is out of Zabeel mare Zarzino, a full-sister to Respect (Zabeel), winner of the Group 2 Perth Cup, and Group 1 runner-up Kind Return (Zabeel). Zarzino is also a half-sister to Group 1 winner Kindacross (Cape Cross). Tarzino is from the same family as three-time Australian Group 1 winner Sky Chase (Star Way).

Also to carry the New Zealand suffix at Flemington yesterday was Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar) who was runner-up by just half-a-length in the Group 1 Longines Mackinnon Stakes.