Chris Waller & Tommy Berry have combined with Lazzura ($4.00) to claim victory in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, giving Waller his seventh win in the $300,000 feature.
The daughter of Snitzel put the writing on the wall last time out, finishing third behind Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) on March 1, with team Waller electing to dual accept for the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) later on the same program.
The choice to head towards the Phar Lap has paid dividends in a race that failed to change complexion throughout the 1500m journey, with Lazzura sitting outside the leader every step of the way as Flying From Above was forced to take up the running.
The pair weren’t breaking any records in the early stages as Melbourne raider Wonder Boy () was able to slot into the one-one from gate five, while James McDonald restrained Declichy Boulevard (2.40) to the rear of the field from stall seven.
They were all set a task chasing Lazzura as they turned for home, with the three-year-old filly giving a bold kick in the final furlong as Wonder Boy and Declichy Boulevard were left to fight out the minor placings.
It was a dominant win and a reward for consistency, as Lazzura claimed her third win at the start eight.
Chris Waller was on course at Rosehill to break down the win of his talented filly and where to next.
“Tommy (Berry) took the luck out of the equation by popping outside the leader,” said Waller.
“They weren’t going overly quickly, and even when he sat outside the leader, it wasn’t pretty fast. She’s done a good job, showed great acceleration, and backed up some good form from the last two runs behind some top fillies.
“I’ll have a chat to the owners. They are pretty cool customers, but they’ve got a fair idea about racing, and I guess it’s all about value-building. Possibly to the Queen of the Turf.
“We’ll keep our powder dry for probably four weeks and have a look at a race like that over a mile. So that’s one of the options.
“It’s been a good race to us (Phar Lap) and it’s a stepping stone for the future. A good example is this filly. She’s been third behind some very good fillies throughout her career and in particular this preparation.
“It just gives her a little bit of confidence: ‘Okay, I can go out there and do it myself’. So that’s what I see the race as. It’s a race that says, ‘Okay, I’ve had a step back from Group 1 level; I’ve got a chance to do it myself, and I’ve done it’. Hopefully she can step off that.”
Tommy Berry spoke post-race and credited Waller’s decision to scratch Lady Shenandoah to chance Group 1 glory later in the programme.
“I didn’t even have to give Chris a call to scratch Lady Shenandoah. So that made her job a bit easier today,” said Berry.
“You feel sorry for horses like this, and you just hope it doesn’t dint their confidence chasing good horses around all the time.
“I think that says a lot about her attitude. She came here, and she was very full of herself today, and halfway around when I got an easy couple of sectionals.”
“She hasn’t been in a race with a slow tempo like that since the first start where she could show that turn of speed. That turn of speed’s been dragged out of her by good horses. So a very good effort for her.”
Lazzura is now an $11 chance with Bet365 for the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf on April 12.
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