18 Jan 2023Almanzor three-year-old Andalus added winning momentum to his Classic campaign with a stylish performance at Te Rapa.
The black type performer successfully stepped up to 1600 metres for the first time and there are high hopes he can play a starring role over more ground.
Trainer Stephen Marsh has G1 New Zealand Derby hopes for Andalus, who also holds a nomination for the G1 Levin Classic.
Rider Craig Zackey settled the gelding in behind the leading pack and, once into the clear 300 metres from home, lengthened stride to comfortably break his maiden.
It was an overdue victory, although he has previously raced in far stronger company and finished runner-up in last season’s G2 Matamata Slipper, third in the G3 Wakefield Challenge Stakes and fourth in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Bred by Waikato Stud, Andalus was bought at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by bloodstock agent Bruce Perry for $420,000 on behalf of prominent owner Lib Petagna.