3 minute read

Scrutinize’s relaxed nature will serve him well through to his Group One target in the autumn, according to co-trainer Jamie Richards.

“He’s a laid back sort of colt and he is going to keep on improving the further we go with him,” he said.

All roads lead to the Gr.1 BMW New Zealand Derby with Scrutinize, who returned from a break for a comfortable win at Awapuni on Saturday in the Rich Hill Stud Premier.

The son of Savabeel and the Group One winner Legs settled at the back of a small field and under hands and heels urging from Chris Johnson in the straight he mowed his rivals down for a commanding victory.

“That was pretty soft in the end,” said Richards, who trains Scrutinize at Matamata with Stephen Autridge.

“He needed to have this run before the Great Northern Guineas on New Year’s Day and then he’ll go on to the Avondale and Waikato Guineas before the Derby.”

Scrutinize was unbeaten in his first two starts before he finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas.

He then ran seventh in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa before he was put aside instead of pressing on to Christchurch for the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas.

“We didn’t think going to Riccarton on a pretty firm track was the right thing to do with him,” Richards said.

The filly Bella Court ran on fairly in the straight for second ahead of Cochise and Mackintosh, who were both doing their best work late.