Crocetti and connections post-race
- The Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ 2000 Guineas cemented early season honours amongst the three-year-olds for CROCETTI. The chestnut kept his unbeaten record at six from six with a dominant win in the Classic under top South African rider Warren Kennedy. The Te Akau trained TALISKER was game in second ahead of CATCH A THIEF. The winner took home the thick end of the $600,000 prizemoney plus a $70,000 bonus supplied by the Trustees of the Christchurch Racecourse.
- Kennedy had shown his champion jockey qualities earlier in the day getting NEST EGG home in the Nautical Boat Insurance Metropolitan Trophy. NEST EGG reinforced his favouritism for the Martin Collins NZ Cup beating OSO SAVVY and last year’s Cup winner ALJAY.
- The days other stakes race was the Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes with NOT GUILTY prevailing over LINCOLN’S KRUZ and THE RADIANT ONE. Trained by Tony Pike for an ownership that includes his parents Wayne and Vicky the five-year-old mare gained the all-important Listed win in the hands of Lily Sutherland.
- Warren Kennedy rode two winners to be the leading rider on the day with all ten winners being trained by different trainers.
- Riccarton Park stables snared three wins with MYSTIC PARK in race 2 the Helston & Associates Premier for the Pitman partnership, SIR ALBERT in the Gold Club premier for Terri Rae and IFFIDITIT for the Anna Furlong & Shane Kennedy partnership in the last on the programme.