ANZ_Mar_2_2014

3 Cover storysunday 2 march 2014 ANZ“Halfway up the straight something went `twang’. When I cameback to the jockey’s room I could not walk. I’ve never been in thatmuch pain in my life.”Some of that pain was alleviated as Puccini kicked away to winthe NZ Derby by two lengths from Rising Romance (Ekraar) whofound trouble in running with Glorious Lad (Falkirk) third.Walker was excited by the victory, labelling Puccini the best horsehe has ridden.“Horse’s don’t do that and I was still at full steam at the winningpost. He could have gone another lap.”The winner of five of his 14 starts and NZ$676,925, Puccini(3 c Encosta De Lago - Miss Opera by Paris Opera), who was bredin Victoria by Monovale Holdings, was a NZ$175,000 weanlingpurchase before being re-offered as a yearling at the 2012 KarakaPremier where he was passed in for NZ$150,000 on a reserve ofNZ$180,000.One of 100 stakes winners and 21 Group One winners forCoolmore Stud’s Encosta De Lago (Fairy King), Puccini, who like somany of his sire’s best progeny boasts a duplication of influentialmatriarch Lalun by Djeddah, is out of the Listed winner Miss Opera(Paris Opera), also dam of the exceptionally tough six times GroupOne winner Sir Slick (Volksraad).MOSS IS LOTS OF FUNMossfunsportpixGuineas (Gr 1, 1600m), he was enjoying success of a different sortin Sydney with Mossfun (Mossman) racing away to an easy SilverSlipper Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) victory.Providing Snitzel with his first stakes winner as a broodmare sirewhen taking out the Widden Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) two weeks ago,the Hawkes family-trained filly was even more impressive yesterday,her winning margin a soft four lengths.Racing away from the outsider Press Report (Written Tycoon) withRisen From Doubt (Not A Single Doubt) third, Mossfun worked herWhilst Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) was in the limelight at way into second favouritism for the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1,DAR6467 ANZ half horiz E x and Ex and buyers guide 2 MAR14 27/02/2014 09:44 Page 1Flemington with his son Shamus Award winning the Australian 1200m).ADVERTISING alice@anzbloodstocknews.comEDITORIAL editor@anzbloodstocknews.com