A decade after steering Winx to a Phar Lap Stakes victory, jockey Tommy Berry has secured the race again, as Lazzura further strengthened champion trainer Chris Waller’s incredible record in the Group 2 event at Rosehill.
Opting to scratch Lazzura from Saturday’s G1 Coolmore Classic to instead run in the Phar Lap (1500m) for three-year-olds, Lazzura ($4) settled just off the leader before accelerating away to defeat Wonder Boy ($5) by 1-3/4 lengths, with stablemate Declichy Boulevard ($2.35 bookies favourite) finishing in third, three-quarters of a length behind.
The victory marked Waller’s eighth Phar Lap Stakes win in the last 11 editions, all of which have come with fillies.
The streak began in 2015 when Winx claimed the race, followed by Foxplay (2017), Unforgotten (2018), Verry Elleegant (2019), Funstar (2020), Hungry Heart (2021), Zougotcha (2023), and now Lazzura.
Lazzura had faced quality competition in her earlier starts this season, finishing fourth and third behind Lady Shenandoah and Lady Of Camelot, respectively. Without those fillies in the mix, Lazzura claimed her first Group-race win on Saturday, following a Listed race victory at Scone as a two-year-old last year.
“When Lady Shenandoah was scratched, I knew this was her race,” Berry said.
“I won this race 10 years ago on Winx, so it’s nice to win it today on a lovely filly for a fantastic ownership group.
“We just kept running into a couple of fillies that were just too good for her, and that’s all there is to it.
“But today, she had her moment.”
Meanwhile, Lady Shenandoah, a star filly initially entered in the Phar Lap, instead competed in the Coolmore Classic later in the day and secured her third Group 1 victory.
Lazzura was one of four Waller-trained fillies in the Phar Lap, joined by third-placed Declichy Boulevard, Movin Out (fourth), and Real Class (seventh).
Waller praised Berry for his tactical ride, settling outside the leader and turning the race into a sit-and-sprint affair.
“She’s done really well, showing great acceleration and backing up solid form from her past two runs against some top fillies,” Waller said.
Waller stated he would discuss Lazzura’s next steps with her connections, with the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick next month as a potential target.
“It’s still a few weeks away, but we’ve won that race with a three-year-old before, and keeping a horse fresh is important,” Waller said.
“Today’s hot weather might take a bit out of them as well. I’ll speak with the owners, but I’m leaning towards that race.”
Reflecting on his eighth Phar Lap Stakes win, Waller noted the race’s importance as a stepping stone for horses aiming for future success.
“This filly is a great example,” Waller said.
“She’s finished third behind some very strong fillies throughout her career, especially in this preparation. This win gives her confidence, saying ‘I can do this on my own.’
“That’s how I see the race—it’s a way for them to step back from Group 1 competition, have a chance to show what they can do, and succeed.
“Hopefully, she can keep progressing from here.”
