Lazzura stands as a significant odds-on favourite to extend her current dominance over Sydney’s spring fillies and mares’ feature races when she contests the Hot Danish Stakes. Jockey Tommy Berry shares the confidence of the betting public, anticipating another successful outing.
Following her initial second-place finish behind Savvy Hallie in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m), Lazzura has secured victories in both the Golden Pendant (1400m) and The Invitation (1400m). She is currently priced at $1.45 to achieve a hat-trick of wins at Rosehill.
With a benchmark rating that surpasses her closest competitor by eight points, Lazzura is exceptionally well-positioned under the set weights conditions of the Hot Danish Stakes (1400m). She will also benefit from the soft 7 track conditions and the advantage of barrier two.
Berry might be expected to feel apprehensive given the seemingly perfect race setup, but he asserts that quality horses such as Lazzura only bolster his confidence.
“No, I get more nervous on the slow ones,” Berry quipped. “The faster ones are easier to deal with, that’s for sure. She should really be carrying a bit more (weight) than a few of these. She’s in great form, she has been for a few preps now, and if the rain does keep coming then she is really going to enjoy getting her toe in the ground.”
The mare’s advantageous low draw is particularly noteworthy for Berry.
In the Invitation, she was required to expend significant effort to advance from a wide barrier, and despite holding on for a half-length victory over the rapidly finishing Infancy, she appeared fatigued in the closing stages.
From barrier two, Lazzura is expected to enjoy a less taxing run on Saturday, which should enable her to finish strongly.
He also downplayed any suggestions that her demanding last-start performance might have had a negative impact. Berry revealed that the mare recovered so well that trainer Chris Waller had considered a seven-day backup in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, a race ultimately won by stablemate Lady Shenandoah.
“That’s how well she came through her run,” Berry said. “With this race here on the weekend, and them already having Lady Shenandoah in the other race, they chose to go a different way and give her the extra week. She’s come through in great order, and she’s a very tough mare. Nothing much knocks her around.
“We’ll be able to ride her with a bit of cover, or even if there’s not much speed – which it doesn’t look like there’s a lot of on paper – at least we’re not going to have to do the work we did the other day. Getting a nice, cosy run, we’ll be able to see that good turn of foot, and they’ll have to be very good to beat her on Saturday.”
Considering Lazzura’s current form and favourable conditions, she presents as a compelling choice in the Hot Danish Stakes. Punters looking to get involved can explore the best racing odds available at Australian betting sites.