The Lisa Latta-trained He’s A Doozy ran out an impressive winner of the Gr.3 Gee Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Sunday under a peach of a ride from Kozzi Asano.
The five-year-old son of Zacinto recorded his sixth career victory from 19 starts when coming from off the pace under a no-panic ground-saving ride by Asano, who tracked race favourite Secret Amour for much of the contest.
Gaining a split inside the final furlong of the roomy Trentham straight, He’s A Doozy powered over the top of proven stakes horses Markus Aurelius and Deerfield to land a deserved victory.
“I thought he was in a spot of bother at the 300m, but he just rode him patiently and the gaps opened up,” Latta said.
“He does like Trentham and looked well-placed today with the 53.5 kilos.
“He has just taken a bit of time. We had a really big opinion of him as a three-year-old but he disappointed us a couple of times. I just think it was immaturity and he has just gone from strength to strength now that he has furnished. “
Latta was one of the earlier supporters of Japanese apprentice Asano, who was previously based in Christchurch with Latta’s close friend Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston.
“I have had a bit of luck with Kozzi, especially when he was down with Andrew and coming up. He can ride light and that helps too.”
The Palmerston North horsewoman confirmed He’s A Doozy has booked his passage south for a tilt at the Gr.3 Coupland's Bakeries Mile (1600m), where he will clash with stablemate Nod Of The Head, who finished runner-up in the Coupland's Bakeries Mile Prelude (1400m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
“It is hard to split them,” Latta said. “Nod Of The Head is not proven at all at a mile, whereas He’s A Doozy is.”
Meanwhile, Latta said initial reports on the manner in which Diss Is Dramatic had come through her strong win in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) on Saturday were pleasing but a decision is still pending as to whether she will take on the colts and geldings in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 50th New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) on November 5.
“Andrew (Carston) is happy with her. I have still got to sit down with Albert (Bosma) and have a discussion as to where we go next.”
While Latta took stakes honours with He’s A Doozy, the day belonged to jockey Craig Grylls, who snared five winners on a competitive day of racing at Trentham.
Among Grylls quintet was a treble for New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson, headed by smart three-year-old filly Coogee Kate, who comfortably won the Life Direct Wellington Guineas Prelude (1200m) to make it two wins from two starts.
Grylls also partnered progressive four-year-old Mary Louise to win the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport Handicap (1400m), with the daughter of The Bold One looking likely to relish getting over a distance, with a lengthy action conducive to further.