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Cambridge Stud mare Dazzled was bound for the broodmare paddock this year, but after failing to get in foal, she is making a big impression on the track with a powerful victory in the NHR Group 1300 at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Prepared by the stud's private trainer Lance Noble, Dazzled had performed well in her first two starts this preparation, finishing fifth and a close-up second to Shoes on both occasions. Stepping into open company, the daughter of Pierro was among a condensed market as the $6.60 fourth-favourite, with Pour The Wine on top at $4.50.
In the hands of Warren Kennedy, Dazzled jumped positively but allowed a rush of on-speed runners to dictate the early pace, as she settled back near the tail of the field ahead of Pour The Wine. Kennedy angled towards the centre of the track turning for home and the mare had plenty of ground to make up, but she lived up to her name in the final 200m, surging to the line to score over Rocababy by a long head, with Pour The Wine the same margin back in third.
Noble was thrilled with the performance and praised Kennedy's ride, which was one of three winners for last season's premiership-winning hoop on the card.
"It was good, she's had a couple of lead-up races and ran a good second last start," Noble said.
"She seems to go better when she gets a bit of room and Warren rode her very well, when she gets to the outside she can really let down.
"It was very pleasing."
Dazzled was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, as the final foal out of their late mare Capital Diamond. Now a winner of three races and $116,890 in stakes from just 11 starts, Dazzled is a half-sister to talented race mare Gift Of Power, who won 11 races including the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m), Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Listed Levin Stakes (1200m).
While this campaign was set to be her last, Noble is pleased to have Dazzled still in his racing team, with the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final (1500m) and the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) both on her radar back at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
"She went to the stallion twice, unfortunately she didn't get in foal, which means we can keep racing her all the way through," he said.
"While the Stud obviously wanted to get her in foal, I'm quite happy she's not and she's going really well.
"Potentially we may go to the final, but there's also a 1400m fillies and mares race on Boxing Day as well which might suit. We haven't really stepped her up further than 1300, so we'll just see. It will be one of the two."
