Successful breeder and owner Daniel Nakhle has high hopes of a double celebration in the coming days.
He will be in Christchurch to cheer on his unbeaten three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton while also awaiting a new arrival on the home front.
Nakhle bred and races the dominant Classic favourite, whose dam Gracehill (NZ) (O’Reilly) is imminently due to produce a valuable half-sibling.
“She is in foal to Brazen Beau and expected to foal on the eve of the 2000 Guineas so we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a nice result there as well,” he said.
“We’ve got her booked into Proisir in the hope that she comes through the foaling well and that should be a pretty good cross as well.”
Nakhle backed his judgement to send the O’Reilly mare Gracehill to the late Zacinto during the stallion’s time at Valachi Downs with Crocetti the dream outcome.
“As tidy a sire as Zacinto was, he wasn’t the most commercial option to go to, but it was a very good cross,” Nakhle said.
“I planned the mating and I always get (Westbury Stud General Manager) Russell Warwick to review what I’m doing and he’s been exceptionally generous with his time and gave the mating a big tick so that was enough for me.”
Crocetti was placed with Danny Walker and Arron Tata at Byerley Park, the training centre established by Nakhle and his father Elias, and didn’t take long to live up to his looks.
“He was a gorgeous weanling and put together just perfectly and had a beautiful way about him,” he said.
“He’s a professional racehorse all right, he just loves to run so there’s a fair bit of expectation but it’s a Group One and nothing is ever easy.
“Danny and Arron are wonderful people and have done a great job with him. They have left no stone unturned and so far, all the plans have come off.”
Crocetti was a debut winner at Pukekohe last season before he successfully opened his three-year-old campaign at Ruakaka in August and returned there to claim the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
The gelding continued his winning streak at Te Rapa and last time out was equally impressive in winning the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m).
Crocetti will be Nakhle’s second runner in the Guineas after going close in 2005.
“I was fortunate to have Captain Kurt, who ran second to Darci Brahma a few years back now. He gave us a big thrill, but unfortunately Darci decided to show his champion qualities,” he said.
Nakhle is also continuing to breed from Crocetti’s grand-dam Irish Colleen (NZ), a daughter of Shinko King who won seven races including the Gr.2 Concorde Handicap (1200m).
“She’s at Byerley Park and was my first ever purchase by myself at the weanling sale at Karaka several years back now,” he said.
All five of her foals to race have been successful and includes the multiple Group Three winner and Group One placegetter Crosshaven (Smart Missile), who is part-owned by Nakhle.
Trained at Lindsay Park by brothers Ben, JD and Will Hayes, he finished runner-up when resuming in the Gr.3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington.
“His old legs keep on going, he was given a really good freshen-up and he certainly did us proud,” Nakhle said.
“He pulled up really well and there’s a couple of options, but the plan at this stage is to go to the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr.1, 1200m).”
