Kanzai does half-sister proud

Savabeel

Well-bred mare Kanzai delivered a timely pedigree boost for her Karaka-bound half-sister with a
strong display to win at Pakenham on Thursday evening.

The Nigel Blackiston-trained daughter of Savabeel lumped 60.5kg to victory over 1600 metres when
aided by a fine ride from Michael Dee.

“That was very much deserved for her, she has been going well this preparation,” Dee said, “She has
been well placed by Nigel and this looked the perfect race for her.

“I felt like I had it won as soon as we straightened and, if anything, probably got to the front too
soon.”

Kanzai was bred by Waikato Stud and sold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for
A$425,000 to Cambridge Stud.

The mare is a daughter of the unraced O’Reilly mare Splits, whose Ocean Park filly will be offered as
Lot 604 during Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

Splits, whose four foals to race have all been successful, is a daughter of the two-time Group 1
winner Legs and the family of recent G1 Zabeel Classic winner Tiptronic.

https://twitter.com/Racing/status/1486645434818994182

Recent News
1 January 2026

Ohope Wins Gives Ocean Park His 25th Stakes Winner

Having just her fourth start and relishing the step up to 2000m for the first time, 3yo Ocean Park filly Ohope Wins highlighted her class at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, winning the G2 Sir …

Read More
30 December 2025

Waikato Stud farewells Daffodil

On Tuesday morning, the Waikato Stud team farewelled a matriarch of its broodmare band and a flagbearer of the WS white, green and royal blue racing colours, Daffodil (ex Spring), at age 20. Retired to …

Read More