Kazaru (NZ) Captures Tasmanian Oaks
OTI Racing’s $27,500 Karaka yearling purchase Kazaru (NZ) (Embellish) added significant value to her CV with victory in the A$150,000 Listed Kevin Sharkie Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) at Launceston on Friday.
Kazaru was offered by Cambria Park in Book 2 of Karaka 2024 and was bought by OTI in partnership with Phill Cataldo Bloodstock. The emerging filly has now had seven starts for two wins, two placings and A$153,150 in stakes.
Stakes-placed as a two-year-old in the Listed Oaklands Plate (1400m), Kazaru began her three-year-old preparation with a sixth at Seymour and a second at Pakenham. She broke through for a stylish maiden win over 1717 metres at Sale on February 1, giving trainer Phillip Stokes the confidence to push on and shoot for black-type spoils in the Tasmanian Oaks.
Kazaru was ridden by Luke Currie in the Launceston feature and settled in midfield before hooking to the outside just before home turn to launch her run. She finished strongly down the straight and outstayed her 10 opponents, dashing to the lead and going clear to win by a length and a quarter.
“A thrilling win and valuable black type added to her name,” OTI Racing tweeted. “Beautifully trained by Phillip Stokes and expertly ridden by Luke Currie.
“Congratulations to all involved. A very exciting future for this talented filly!”
Kazaru became the sixth individual stakes winner for in-form Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish (NZ), who has also been represented by this season’s Group Two Lowland Stakes (2100m) winner Ultimate Habit (NZ).
The dam of Kazaru is the unraced Paulette (NZ) (Keeper), who now has two stakes winners among her five winners from six foals to race. She is also the dam of the Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200) winner Daqiansweet Junior (NZ) (Sweet Orange).
