Chris Waller extended his remarkable hold on the Coolmore Classic (G1) at Rosehill Racecourse March 14 when the admirable Lazzura handed the champion trainer a fourth successive win in the group 1 feature.
The daughter of Snitzel was a four-time stakes winner heading into Saturday's contest, headlined by wins in the Let's Elope Stakes (G2) and Phar Lap Stakes (G2) across two campaigns last year. Her best result at group 1 level had been when third in last year's Surround Stakes (G1) behind Lady Shenandoah, beaten 2.9 lengths.
Ridden by James McDonald in the Coolmore Classic, the mare stamped her class when carrying the equal top-weight of 58 kilograms to a 0.4-length victory over Arctic Glamour, with Vivy Air flashing home a further 0.3 lengths away in third.
Sent off the favorite, Savvy Hallie led before weakening to finish 11th of the 14 runners, with her jockey Nash Rawiller suggesting the filly simply failed to see out the distance strongly.
Lazzura became the first mare since the legendary Sunline (60 kilograms) in 2002 to carry more than 57 kilograms to victory in the race. It was a fourth-straight win in the feature for Waller after wins by Lady Shenandoah, Zougotcha, and Espiona.
"Well deserved," said Waller, who enjoyed a stakes treble on the day completed by Birdman in the Peter Young Stakes (G2) and Sixties in the latest renewal of the Phar Lap Stakes.
"She's been running around against some very good horses without a lot of luck going her way."
After being narrowly beaten by Cinsault first-up in the Mille Fox Stakes (G2), Waller was pleased to see Lazzura show her fighting qualities.
"We had her a bit underdone first-up and rode her a pair too close. (Saturday), we didn't panic from the draw. We went back, got cover three-wide," the winning trainer said.
"I thought, following that run last start, you're going to fold up that last 100 (meters), but she was strong."
The win also moved McDonald to 128 group 1 victories, leaving him just one shy of the Australian record held by the now-retired Damien Oliver.
McDonald could have the chance to equal that mark as soon as March 21 at Rosehill, where his rides are set to include unbeaten star Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes (G1).
A humble McDonald said the record was far from his mind.
"It's a funny feeling because 'Ollie' is so great, I don't feel like I should be in that echelon just yet," the winning rider said. "I feel very privileged to be in the position where I'm getting there slowly.
"It wasn't me, it was her just really biting down on the mouthguard and having a really decent crack.
"I thought she was all-out with 100 meters to go, but that will to find the line, it's something you can't teach them, you can't train in them."
Waller said Lazzura's next target would be decided in consultation with her owners, with the April 4 Doncaster Mile (G1) or April 11 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (G1) under consideration.
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