Ready To Run Sales graduate Azazel (Shocking) debuted with a victory in a 1600-metre maiden at Seymour on Thursday.
Bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM in conjunction with OTI Racing & Bloodstock for NZ$140,000 at the 2024 Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, Azazel was trapped wide in the early stages when pressing forward from barrier ten under Michael Dee.
Landing outside the leader at the 1000 metres as the tempo steadied, the gelding displayed plenty of grit and determination to score narrowly by 0.2 lengths over Manifest The Milli (Puissance De Lune). There was a further 0.4 lengths back to the odds-on favourite Cavalry (Brutal) in third.
“It was great to see him win on debut over a mile, today,” Mark Walker, who trains the Te Akau team at Cranbourne, said. “It’s never easy to win over that trip first-up, and he was clearly headed and fought back solidly, and great to get a win on board with the OTI team, after our first runner finished third. We’re going to plot a path for Azazel towards the VRC Derby and just see if he’s strong and mature enough to handle the preparation. It was a no panic ride by Mick [Dee], off the awkward gate, and also a good reward for every one at the stables, who are working hard, to get their second win this month. The horses are just starting to come to hand now, fitness-wise, and starting to turn in their coats.”
The above is an excerpt from ANZ Bloodstock News and can be read here.