Tommy Berry adopted a spontaneous approach to tactics aboard Lazzura, and the talented mare demonstrated enough class to secure victory in the $2 million The Invitation held at Randwick.
Facing a wide barrier, Berry was undecided on whether to push forward or hold back in the initial stages, ultimately deciding to let Lazzura dictate her own pace.
“I still had no idea what I was going to do going to the gates, and I thought, I’ll ride her how she jumps,” Berry shared.
“She pinged the lids and at the end of the day, it’s not the way to ride her, but she’s the best horse in the race.
“Good horses overcome adversity, and that’s what she did today.”
As Perfumist set a brisk pace upfront, Berry positioned Lazzura ($2.70 fav) just behind the leader, making her move to take the front halfway down the straight.
The Chris Waller-trained mare appeared to be tiring late but managed to maintain a half-length advantage over Infancy ($71), with Verona Rose ($13) finishing a further short head back in third.
“She had to burn the candle at both ends,” commented Waller’s assistant trainer, Darren Beadman.
“It was, do we go forward, or do we go back? But the way she jumped, Tommy made an executive decision and said, ‘Bang. She’s the best horse in the race’.
“She really cut out some slick sectionals in the early stages, but once she got there she gave herself a chance and switched off, and she runs out a strong 1400.”
Beadman expressed uncertainty about Lazzura’s next outing, noting that while she competed in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) a year prior, he doubted Waller would race her again so soon after a demanding run.
Potential alternative targets include the Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in two weeks and The Hunter (1300m) a week later.
“I’ll leave that to the master himself,” Beadman stated.
“Whatever she does is just a bonus. She’s a Group One-winning mare and she has won her last two Group Twos.”
Kris Lees was pleased with the performance of runner-up Infancy and confirmed her intention to contest The Hunter ($1 million) over 1300m at Newcastle on November 14.
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