Scrutinize in top order to resume

New Zealand Derby hope Scrutinize looked in great order at Tauranga this afternoon when he continued his build-up toward a return to racing. The WS-bred and sold son of Savabeel worked between races alongside his NZ 2000 Guineas-winning stablemate Xtravagant.
The pair were under good holds when they finished off 800 metres in 45.84s. Xtravagant thrilled rider Matt Cameron with his work and the Te Akau Stable jockey was also quick to comment on the effort of Scrutinize, who was partnered by Cameron Lammas.
“Scrutinize is more laid back than Xtravagant and he only does what he has to so his work was very good as well,” he said. The Gr 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas runner-up will resume in a three-year-old event over 1400 metres at Awapuni on Saturday week.
“That will be a lead into the Great Northern Guineas, the Karaka Mile and the Avondale and Waikato Guineas,” Richards said. “David (Ellis) bought him as a Derby horse and hopefully that’s where he will end up.”
Ellis purchased Scrutinize out of WS’s Premier Sale draft to Karaka last year for $200,000. He is out of Pins’ dual Group One-winning daughter Legs (Kelt Capital Stakes, New Zealand Oaks).

Recent News
14 February 2026

First Stakes Winner For Banquo

Waikato Stud stallion Banquo was a stakes winner on the track and now he has sired his first stakes winner as Kris Shalier’s Justin Case delivered a dominant performance to pull clear in the G3 …

Read More
13 February 2026

Waikato invest in next generation with Return To Conquer to join its roster

Joining a long legacy of breed-shaping stallions to stand at Waikato Stud, three generations of the Chittick family have placed their confidence in Return To Conquer, with the A$1.3 million yearling and unbeaten Group 1-winning son of the four-time Champion Sire and Champion Two-Year-Old sire, Snitzel, to take his position on the Waikato roster in 2026.

Read More