Lazzura powers to victory in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes

Lazzura concluded a stellar spring preparation at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon, securing the Group 2 $500,000 Hot Danish Stakes over 1400 metres with a determined effort.

The Chris Waller stable, represented by Darren Beadman due to Waller's presence at Flemington, acknowledged the mare's tough win. "It wasn't a gimme," Beadman stated.

Sent out as the overwhelming favourite at $1.35, Lazzura had to contend with a strong challenge from the leader Gerringong, but ultimately proved superior.

Shortly after, stablemate Autumn Glow demonstrated her class, overcoming a sterner test than anticipated to defeat Lindermann in the Group 1 Champions Mile, securing a convincing win.

Autumn Glow heads to the paddock with an unblemished four-win spring record, including three Group 1 triumphs, firmly establishing her as Australia's foremost racehorse. The Waller stable completed a dominant performance in the Champions Mile, with Lindermann finishing second and Buckaroo third.

For Lazzura, this marked her third consecutive Group 2 triumph this spring, extending a remarkable run of form and cementing her status as one of the leading mares in racing.

Jockey Tommy Berry rode Lazzura with absolute conviction, positioning her as the horse to beat. The favourite worked hard to reel in the resilient front-runner Gerringong ($6.50), crossing the line a half neck in front. Surf's Up ($17), another mare from the Waller stable, secured third place, more than two lengths adrift.

Gerringong, expertly guided by Nash Rawiller, dictated terms upfront and transformed the race into a high-speed dash, with the final 600 metres clocked at a swift 32.94 seconds, underscoring the quality of Lazzura's victory.

Beadman, ever the showman, had a sharp retort when questioned about Lazzura potentially drifting towards Gerringong near the finish.

"It was as wide as the Sydney Heads, turn it up!" Beadman quipped.

Lazzura will now enjoy a well-earned break, following a series of impressive wins in the Golden Pendant, The Invitation, and today's Hot Danish Stakes.

"She has been in scintillating form," Beadman commented. "She takes all the guess work out of it with her style of racing, she puts herself there.

"The 1400m is about as far as she wants, but she hit her sweet spot today.

"She had to do a bit of work last start when she won The Invitation but today it was pure grit and determination.

"For Ricky Senior and Junior and the Surace family, they put a lot of effort into their horses, what they are searching for and what they breed, so it is a great result."

Beadman also lauded jockey Tommy Berry's tactical ride.

"When the other horse came out of the race, the likely leader, Tommy was able to get there a lot softer than last start when he won The Invitation on her," Beadman said.

"He 'curled his mo', kept his cool, and 1400m is about as far as she wants.

"It was a tidy effort. She's a Group 1 winner and meeting those horses at level weights, she was thrown in at the weight.

"It was a nice win and Surf's Up getting stakes placed, picked up some black type, too."

Berry highlighted Lazzura's ability to adapt to a slower early pace and showcase her class to edge out the game Gerringong. "We went across the line and Nash says 'that was a good race because we had to fight the whole way down the straight'," Berry stated.

"The margin doesn't reflect the performance but the time does [32.94s]. We quickened up really well from the 600m, I put in a good kick at the 400m and the 200m. And Nash just stuck with me from there, his is a very good filly on her day.

"Any horse with class can run up a quick 600m if you get an easy time she has done it well.

"I would have enjoyed a bit more give in the track than what is there today but she is a winner and that is what she does."

Chris Munce, trainer of Gerringong, expressed his satisfaction with his mare's performance. "She has had a good preparation," Munce confirmed.

"After she won The Nivison first-up, maybe that run took a little bit out of her when she ran fourth in The Invitation even though she wasn't beaten far.

"But she was back to her best today and ran very well. We will take her home and give her a break now, then set her for the autumn carnival."

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