A change of scenery has provided the missing piece for highly talented Karaka graduate Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel), who scored his first black-type victory in the $80,000 Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Saturday.
Witz End was a $200,000 purchase from Trelawney Stud's 2022 Ready to Run Sale draft by Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, who guided him to a highly creditable second to subsequent Group One winner Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Group Two Wellington Guineas (1400m) and third in the Group Three J Swap Sprint (1400m).
But after racing below his best form in the early stages of his five-year-old season, the decision was made to send Witz End to the Riccarton stable of Terri Rae. The move has worked wonders, with Witz End winning two of his last three starts including Saturday’s sprint feature.
Witz End was ridden by Leah Hemi, who took up a handy position in fourth before sliding forward to loom on the outside of the leader coming around the home turn.
The field lined up across the Wingatui home straight to stake their claim for the Listed spoils, and it was Witz End who finished strongest of all to beat last-start Listed Timaru Stakes (1200m) winner Pour The Wine (NZ) (Telperion) by a length.
“We got into a nice position and he travelled well up close to the pace,” Hemi said. “When I pulled him out in the straight, he did want to lay in a bit, which made it a little difficult until I got him straightened up and balanced.
“He went to the line nicely and carried on past the post as well, so it was a nice honest effort.”
From 21 starts, Witz End has now recorded six wins and four placings and has earned $285,410.
Witz End became the 157th individual stakes winner for champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel. Witz End was bred and sold by Trelawney Stud and is out of an unraced half-sister to the multiple Group winner and Group One Australian Derby (2400m), Victoria Derby (2500m), Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and Gran Premio del Jockey Club (2400m) placegetter Retrieve (Rahy).
Vendor: Trelawney Stud Ltd
Purchaser: Pike Racing (Waikato)
Breeding: Savabeel – GallwitzSaleLot 266, Karaka 2022 Book 1, Psd (Res $250,000)Lot 101, 2022 Ready to Run Sale, $200,000
Breeder: Trelawney Thoroughbreds Ltd
Owner: N Alati, C L Chen, M Digby, S B Doull, B G Dravitski, N Greenhalgh, L G Innes, Kinsale Bloodstock Ltd, R G Mulcaster, Pike Racing Ltd & M Swift