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Pizzazz ensured a jovial festive period for John Bell 12 months ago and the former Hong Kong galloper is in the right order to deliver another early present for the stable at Te Rapa.

The eight-year-old rocked punters when successful at odds of better than 60-1 in the Listed Shaw’s Wires Ropes Sprint to post his first New Zealand victory and he’s in the right order for the defence of that title on Saturday.

“He certainly helped to pay for the Christmas party and hopefully it will be no different this year,” said Bell, who now trains in partnership at Matangi with Mark Donoghue. “He’s in better shape than he’s ever been.”

The winner of five races in Hong Kong and the holder of the 1200 metre track record at Happy Valley, Pizzazz has been out twice on his current campaign and has improved with each run.

He was a first-up sixth in the Gr.3 Lion Red Plate at Rotorua and then had no luck when fourth last time out in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint behind Ryan Mark.

“He was battered around by another horse and then he was pushed wide and that robbed him of second – he finished off brilliantly,” Bell said.

“He pulled up very well afterwards and he’s had a jump-out at Matamata so he’s ready.

“He’s an out and out sprinter and the 1400 metres is probably his pet go.”

However, Pizzazz would also be well-equipped to handle the 1200 metre pressure of either the Gr.1 Sistema Railway Stakes or the Gr.1 J & N Berkett Telegraph Handicap.

“He might be one off getting in the Railway, but there are other nice options for him,’ Bell said. “We’ll just get past Saturday first and then see.”