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Willie Cazals wins 2016 Livamol Ormond Memorial Group 1 NZ$250,000 at Hastings (NZ), 2040m.
Improving with each of his three previous starts since his importation from Hong Kong, Willie Cazals broke through for his first New Zealand success. With several high quality placings in Hong Kong, the lightly raced nine-year-old showed his class here with a very good win, with rider Craig Grylls allowing the gelding to dawdle out of the stalls to be equal last with a circuit to run. Down the back, their position was unchanged as Grylls sat one off the fence but still equal last, standing up the leaders 12 lengths. At the 800m the field compacted a little and Grylls began to thread his way through to be better than midfield before the last corner then pulled wider once into the straight to make his run. Passing the 200m they pulled their way into second and then went after the new leader (Humidor), collaring him at the 50m and holding on fiercely to the finish.
Humidor was midfield down the back, moved closer to be third, three wide rounding the bend and took over the lead soon after straightening. He tried to break clear at the 150m but the winner edged alongside and did a little better over the last few strides.
Hasselhoof was handy (off the rail) before the last corner, took a little time to balance and ran home well, doing his best work at the finish, for a solid third.