It’s been almost two years since Mazu (+380) found the winners’ enclosure, finally recapturing his best to claim the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) in 2022 was the last time the son of Maurice claimed top honours, seemingly coming to the end of his racing career.
The Joseph Pride barn has given him a new lease on racing life, however, getting the now five-year-old back to his peak and relishing in the Heavy track conditions on Saturday.
It was an expert steer by Jamie Kah that brought up a race-to-race double, sitting outside the well supported favourite Front Page (+110) throughout the 1200m journey.
Vilana (+360) was looming large in the one-one under Nash Rawiller, while the Godolphin stable campion Aft Cabin (+500) was put to sleep towards the rear of the field.
When the whips were cracking, there was only one horse you wanted to be on, however, as Mazu swiftly put away Front Page and fended off the late challenge of Vilana with 200m left to travel.
2024 Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes Replay – Mazu
Joseph Pride was trackside to discuss the win and perhaps another tilt at the Doomben 10,000 could be on the cards.
“He had a wet track in the TJ (TJ Smith Stakes) but to be fair to him he was a month between runs off the back of a setback, not getting to run in The Galaxy,” said Pride.
“Today he was just that little bit harder and fitter and it was a lovely ride from Jamie. It was good, a good result.
“Queensland would be the plan again. I feel like obviously we’ve got him back on track now. He probably does need wet tracks to do his very best.
“And I’m really happy there, and a big thank you to Leeshelle Small, who is my apprentice. She has been riding this horse all preparation, and she’s done a fantastic job with him because he’s a difficult horse, and she’s really got him to settle really well. So a big thanks to her.”
Jamie Kah was elated to pick-up an early double and was impressed with how well Mazu went in the testing Heavy conditions.
“Yeah, things don’t always go your way, so after the protest went my way, I thought ‘it might be my day today’,” said Kah.
“He loves it (wet tracks). He’s a weird horse because he’s got all the ability in the world, and then he hit the front like he was going to win by five or six and he pricked his ears and looked at the winning post, and he does a lot of things wrong.
“He’s a thinker, but he’s got the ability when he puts his mind to the job.”
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